Applicants must be Black male students who will begin their first year at a Historically Black College or University in fall 2026. Applicants must provide proof of acceptance to an HBCU and submit all required application materials during the official application period.

Each recipient receives a $3,000 dorm room design grant. Recipients will work with the SPACE team and a professional interior designer to select and curate the items needed to complete their dorm room, including decor, bedding, lighting, and everyday room essentials. The grant funds will only be used for items selected through this design process. Funds are applied directly to the selected items and are not issued to recipients as cash. The grant does not cover tuition, housing fees, or other university expenses.

The application will include several components designed to help the selection committee understand each applicant’s perspective and design vision. Applicants will complete an essay response to a prompt, create a visual mood board that reflects their vision for their dorm room, and submit a short video introduction. Additional instructions and submission details will be provided when the application officially opens.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of professionals across design, creative, and cultural industries. The committee will review each submission and evaluate applicants based on their perspective, creativity, and vision for how they would shape their living environment during their first year at an HBCU. Final recipients will be selected following the committee review process.

Applications will open in April 2026 and close in May 2026. Applications will be reviewed in June/July 2026. Grant recipients will be announced in August 2026, ahead of the Fall semester move-in period.