WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As part of its ongoing initiatives to elevate the impact of interior design, the ASID Foundation is accepting proposals for its fifth annual Transform Research Grants. Awards will fund evidence-based research on the impact of interior design on learning performance and experience.

"The importance of learning has grown tremendously in the U.S. over the last several decades," said ASID Foundation Chair Sonya Odell, FASID, RIS, NCIDQ. "Now, the ability to acquire new skills and to process information is the difference between being competitive and being left behind. Knowledge is power, and in the coming months, we look forward to reviewing RFP submissions regarding the impact of interior design on the learning process."

Awarded annually, the Transform Research Grants focus on applied research in interior design and human behavior. In 2016, the Foundation will award up to $100,000 to evidence-based research projects that address the impact of design on learning and how to design spaces that optimize the learning experience.

A panel of expert judges will evaluate submissions and prioritize the top five studies for each grant type. The ASID Foundation's Board of Trustees will make the final funding decisions. The evaluation criteria is based on the significance of study, the innovativeness of research questions, the feasibility of budget and timeline, and the strength and breadth of the target audience reach.

The deadline for submissions is December 7, 2015. For a complete description of guidelines and additional information, visit https://www.asid.org/TransformGrant.