IAAC Launches the Women in Tech Fund 2025

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) reaffirms its commitment to gender equality with the launch of the Women in Tech Fund 2025, an initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for women in technology-driven disciplines such as architecture, design, robotics, data science, computation, and digital fabrication.

This year, International Women’s Day (March 8th, 2025) calls for global efforts to #AccelerateAction in closing the gender gap. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be reached until 2158—five generations from now. This stark reality underscores the need for urgent and decisive steps to dismantle systemic barriers and biases in both personal and professional spheres.

At IAAC, women have always played a central role in our academic and research environment. However, despite growing awareness, women still represent only 28% of the workforce in the tech industry. To address this disparity, the Women in Tech Fund seeks to empower female-identifying candidates by providing access to cutting-edge education, fostering innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship.

The IAAC Women in Tech Fund aligns with our broader commitment to eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all staff and students. We strongly encourage women-identifying candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and become part of a global movement driving real change in technology, architecture, and innovation.

Join us in shaping the future—because equality cannot wait another five generations.

Coverage:

Partial tuition fee waivers ranging from 20%, 30%, or 50%

Eligibility Criteria:

Women-identifying candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Open to applicants of IAAC’s on-campus and online programs (excluding Fab Academy and Fabricademy).
Applicants must submit an application to the Women in Tech Fund along with their general IAAC application.
Applicants must meet the minimum admission criteria established by IAAC

Application Period:
The Women in Tech Fund is available throughout the IAAC applications cycle. However, the fund’s are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Note: Applicants wishing to be considered for the Women in Tech Fund must apply for the fund at the same time they submit their application to an IAAC programme.

Application Process:

Candidates must complete the regular application process to an eligible IAAC programme via the IAAC Application Portal. The following documents are required:

Letter of Intent written in English.
A Portfolio showcasing samples of the candidate’s work.
CV (Curriculum Vitae) or resume.
Two (2) professional or academic recommendations, written in English.
A scanned copy of the candidate’s bachelor’s diploma.
A copy of the candidate’s valid passport.
Additional scholarship document (see below)
Applicants must submit a comprehensive action plan outlining their vision for promoting gender equality in the fields of architecture, robotics, design or technology with a particular focus on innovation. The action plan should include specific strategies to achieve this goal. Additionally, applicants should reflect on their envisioned role within the proposed vision.
Format: A4 PDF, max 2 pages, up to 5MB.

Selection Criteria & Evaluation Process:
Tuition waivers will be awarded by the IAAC Academic Committee based on the quality of the proposal in addition to an assessment of the applicant’s academic and professional merit evaluated by the information and documentation provided in their application.

Evaluation Process:
The IAAC Academic Committee will evaluate the proposal of the candidate, as well as other supporting documents.
Candidates with the highest evaluations will proceed to the second stage, consisting of an interview via videoconference with the academic committee.
Successful applicants will be notified of their selection for a scholarship and the amount of the scholarship in their acceptance letter.

At IAAC, we all #AccelerateAction

Find out How to Apply, Applications are now open!