The Human Advantage: Space in the Age of AI

Apply for up to $20,000 in research funding

As AI reshapes knowledge work and automates routine tasks, the value of human work is shifting, from output to insight, from efficiency to judgment, from individual productivity to collective intelligence. This moment calls for a rethinking of the spaces where we work, learn, and heal. What if these environments became incubators for the distinctly human capacities AI can’t replicate, creativity, mentorship, ethical decision-making, and embodied collaboration?

We’re seeking ideas, designs, and strategies that move beyond task-based thinking to create spaces that amplify human connection, deepen learning and support the kind of work that remains uniquely ours.

We believe design has the power to create environments that elevate the human experience. The ONEder Grant fuels this belief by supporting unique research into new and evolving learning in the field of workplace, healthcare and learning environments design. Since its introduction in 2019, the ONEder Grant program has awarded twenty-seven $20,000 grants to A/D firms across Northern California and Washington State resulting in unique, relevant, and timely results. Research from our 2025 winners can be found on our main ONEder Grant page and all previous work is available for reference in the ONEder Grant Archives.

We invite you to submit a ONEder Grant proposal application. We will award up to $20,000 for each grant to selected Bay Area, Sacramento and Washington state design firms.

ONEder Grant proposals are judged against a published set of criteria, by a panel of judges comprised of past grant winners, industry professionals and One Workplace leadership.

2026 ONEder Grant Schedule

Program Parameters

• Applicant offices must be based in the following geographies.  One of the SF Bay Area counties: Santa Clara, Alameda, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, San Mateo, Monterey, or Contra Costa; Sacramento, CA regional area; or Washington state.
• Online Grant application must be submitted by June 18, 2026.
• All grant applicant teams share proposal concepts verbally (2-3 minute presentation). No presentation materials required.
• Grant recipients receive funding in two payments: 50% at Kick-off and 50% halfway through the program.
• Grant recipients are required to meet monthly with their Grant Program coach to review status and resources.
• Final submission of research findings include a written report (white paper or slide deck) and a single page abstract.
• Grant teams own their work product.
• Grant teams will record ONEder podcasts once projects are complete, prior to the presentation date.
• One Workplace and Grant design firms will co-brand and co-market all ONEder Grant results.
• Grant teams deliver final research and insights to the design community (presentation format and length to be determined closer to the presentation date.)