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Recognition for firms building the profession's next chapter
The AIA Maryland Early Professional Friendly Firm designation celebrates firms that offer exceptional support and opportunity to their early professionals, and helps set the standard for progressive practice statewide.
Apply for the designation →The goal
Built to start a conversation, not just hand out an award
This program celebrates firms who offer exceptional support and opportunities for their early professionals. Just as important, it fosters a dialogue within firms across the state, with the aim of creating new policies and practices that promote innovation, development, and progressive workplaces for the future of the design profession.
Now in its second year, the 2026 questionnaire was refined by a committee of seven early professionals representing all three local AIA Maryland chapters, incorporating feedback from the 2025 pilot.
Who counts as an "early professional"
Anyone who has completed their academic studies up to 10 years post-licensure — including full-time EPs, part-time EPs, and student interns. Every application question should be answered with all three groups in mind.
What firms receive
Designated firms are recognized statewide
EPFF pin
EPFF certificate
Digital badge for firm marketing
Featured in AIA Maryland & chapter newsletters
Spotlight on AIA Maryland social media
Firm categories
Firms are scored against others their size
Small firms
1–10 staff
Medium firms
11–49 staff
Large firms
50+ staff
The questionnaire
Six categories, filled out together
The early professional and principal are meant to schedule time to complete the questionnaire side by side, so both have a chance to discuss and agree on each answer.
Eligibility
Who can apply
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Any architecture firm with an office in Maryland
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More than 50% of the principals in the applying firm or local office are AIA members
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One submission per firm statewide — multiple Maryland locations submit collectively
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Signed by the early professional(s) and principal(s) who completed the survey, plus 33% of the firm's early professionals (or 5, whichever is fewer, for firms with 15+ EPs)
Duration of the designation
The EPFF designation lasts one year, with the option to renew annually. Firms are expected to maintain the policies and practices in place at submission throughout the designation period; AIA Maryland may rescind the designation if a firm no longer meets eligibility requirements.
Key dates
2025 recognition
Last year's designated firms
Congratulations to the firms recognized in the program's inaugural year.
Moseley
Baltimore, MD
Quinn Evans
Baltimore, MD
HCM
Baltimore, MD
Ayers Saint Gross
Baltimore, MD
Becker Morgan
Salisbury, MD
Zigner | Sneed
Baltimore, MD
Design Collective
Baltimore, MD
Abstract Group
Baltimore, MD