Design firm LPA Design Studios recently announced the first recipients of a new scholarship program that will provide long-term financial aid and mentorship to students in historically underrepresented demographics pursuing a degree in architecture, engineering, interior design or landscape architecture.

The LPA Interdisciplinary Diversity Scholarship Program awarded five high school seniors in California and Texas with $5,000 scholarships, renewable for four to five years, depending on the degree. In addition to financial aid, students will be matched with LPA designers serving as mentors in their respective disciplines with the opportunity for paid summer internships at LPA.

Developed through the LPA Foundation with Scholarship America, the program is targeting the industry’s lack of diversity. Earlier this year, LPA pledged to disclose its workplace practices through the International Living Future Institute’s JUST Program, a nationwide initiative to promote social equity and enhance engagement in the workplace.

“This scholarship program reflects our larger efforts to support a more diverse generation of professionals who will help foster a greater design perspective,” said Wendy Rogers, CEO and chief talent officer at LPA Design Studios. “We are committed to advancing the diversity, equity and inclusion of the architecture, design and engineering disciplines.”