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The Rotch Travelling Scholarship was founded in 1883 with sufficient funds to ensure adequate income each year for young architects to “pursue studies in foreign countries.”
To carry out the purpose of the Trust, the Rotch Trustees asked the Boston Society of Architects to appoint a committee to advise and “develop a scheme of examinations… which shall annually secure… the candidate who is best fitted for the advantages which it is the purpose of this endowment to offer.” The Society agreed and has continued its assistance through its Rotch Scholarship Committee.
The Rotch Scholarship is the oldest of its kind in the United States and its influence has been felt throughout the entire profession in America. The roster of Rotch Scholars includes many of the country’s most distinguished architects – Henry Bacon, Ralph Walker, Wallace Harrison, Louis Skidmore, Edward D. Stone, Gordon Bunshaft, Victor Lundy and many others. The opportunity for study and travel provided by the Rotch Scholarship has loomed large in the minds of the Scholars as a major element in their development and subsequent achievement.
The Rotch Committee and Trustees hold periodic dinner meetings of Scholarship recipients.
While the Scholarship provides a rare opportunity for advanced and mature study for a period of approximately eight months to one year, it also imposes an obligation on the Scholar to excellence and conscientious fulfillment of the requirements established by the Rotch Trustees.
The Rotch Scholar is selected annually through a two-stage design competition. First, a weekend-long preliminary architectural competition is held from which the preliminary jury selects those candidates most qualified to participate in the 10-day final competition. The final jury is composed of several distinguished architects and other professionals, usually including a former Rotch Scholar, who select a winning design. The Rotch Trustees then officially name the Rotch Scholar for that year.
All finalists attend the judging of the final competition in Boston and present their projects to the jury. The winner of the 2010 competition will receive $35,000 or more for a minimum of eight months travel and study abroad including a final payment upon the completion of the Scholar’s travels and the submission of a satisfactory report which becomes part of the permanent archives of the Scholarship. The scholar must leave before the end of the calendar year.
These sums cover all expenses incurred by each Scholar for the stated period for study and travel abroad. If dependents are to accompany the Scholar, the Committee must be satisfied that there are other funds available to supplement the Scholarship to provide adequately for this additional expense.
The Letter of Intent to be signed by all prospective Scholars constitutes formal acceptance of responsibility to the Rotch Trustees for compliance with all provisions contained in the letter.
For moew information about applying please visit: http://www.rotchscholarship.org/
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