The Minnesota Architectural Foundation (MAF) has sponsored the Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Award (RRTSA) since the first competition held in 1989. Its purpose is to provide recent graduates and young designers an opportunity to advance their education in architecture by pursuing foreign or domestic travel-study. The 2026 recipient is expected to receive a $15,000 award and will be selected on the basis of a two-week, juried design competition. Please read the following requirements carefully.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this competition is extended to AIA members or AIA Associate members, 40 years of age or younger on January 1, 2026. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following two eligibility requirements:
- Received a degree from a Minnesota NAAB accredited school of architecture (University of Minnesota or Dunwoody College of Technology); or
- Received a degree from any NAAB accredited school of architecture, are currently living in Minnesota, and have been employed for at least one year at a Minnesota architectural firm.
Past RRTSA recipients are not eligible.
Application Deadline: January 22, 2026
All individuals wishing to participate in the competition must submit a completed application, and $30.00 application fee by 4:00 pm, CST, Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Competition Dates: January 29 – February 10, 2026
The competition will begin at 12:00 noon CST on Thursday, January 29, 2026 and conclude at 12:00 noon CST on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Program briefs will be emailed to the address you provide on your application at 12:00 noon CST on Thursday, January 29, 2026 to all participants.
Submittal Deadline: February 10, 2026, 12:00 noon CST
Competitors will submit digital submissions only. Specific digital submission requirements will be shared along with the program brief. The final submission file type will be universally accepted.
Jury Process
The two-part jury process will occur in February and March with dates subject to change.
Initial Jury: Thursday, February 19, 2026
During the initial jury, all entries will be juried down to a limited number of finalists (5 or less). Finalists will be notified immediately following the initial jury. All competitors will be emailed the names of the finalists after the initial jury. The demographically diverse jury members will be determined by the Ralph Rapson committee and could include architects, Foundation board members, experts related to the competition brief, previous RRTSA recipients or finalists who are no longer eligible to participate, and other associated design professionals.
Final Jury: Thursday, March 5, 2026
All finalists are required to participate in the final jury and will receive an “Honorable Mention” award and $500. Non-local finalists are eligible for a $250 travel stipend. Finalists will participate in a full and open discussion (with the jury) of their design ideas and project concept. Additionally, they will be asked about their general travel-study plans and what they believe can be accomplished through this opportunity. Final travel-study plans and itineraries are not required at this time but a theme or intent is. The recipient of the award will be announced at a gathering (virtual or in-person to be determined) of all finalists and jurors following the final jury process.
About Submissions
Submission digital format requirements will be included in the program brief. Submissions will be in digital format only. You may work on this competition anywhere you’d like, your office, your home, on a sailboat, etc! All work must be your own; it is not a team project.