Fellowship

2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Questions? Email [email protected]

Submitter Information Pg. 1

Program Details and Jury Pg. 2

Eligibility/Candidate Year Pg. 2

Evaluation Criteria: General Pg. 3

Evaluation Criteria: Objects Pg. 3

Formatting Requirements & Portfolio

Recommendations

Pg. 5

Portfolio Sections Pg. 8

Nomination and Sponsor Information Pg. 11

Reference Letters Pg. 13

Candidate Information Pg. 15

Images and Copyright Pg. 17

Materials for Jury Review Pg. 18

Submitter Information

Candidates: Please provide the information below for the application point of contact. This may or may not be the

candidate.

Last Name *

Firm/Organization *

Phone #: *

Email *

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Program Details and Jury

Fellows are recognized with AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to

architecture and society. Fellowship is applied for through submittal of a portfolio/application that documents the

achievements of applicants for review and evaluation by the Jury of Fellows. The following pages provide information

and direction for all applicants and sponsors to guide the development of a successful application.

Schedule & Fees

• Submission open: June 24, 2024

• Submission close: October 9, 2024, by 5pm ET

• Notification to recipients: Mid-February 2025

• Public announcement: Late February 2025

Dates are subject to change. Please refer to the program website

(Cycle tab) for the most

current information.

Fee: There is a non-refundable fee of $450 for this program.

Eligibility Candidates for fellowship must:

• be a licensed AIA architect member in good standing. This also applies to Architect

Emeritus members.

• have at least 10 cumulative years of architect membership prior to the submission

deadline.

If uncertainties exist about the period of membership, we recommend consulting with the

local chapter. Membership History

can also verify the candidate’s eligibility prior to

preparing the submission.

Candidate Year Eligibility

• Candidates submit a first-year, second-year, or third-year application. A candidate’s

application year impacts how man reference letters they can include and whether

they are eligible to apply in the next cycle.

• Any time a candidate takes a cycle off, they revert to first-year status. Second- and

third-year candidate status only applies if you submit an application in consecutive

cycles.

• If a third-year candidate is not elevated, they are not eligible to submit in the next

cycle. After one cycle elapses, they may resubmit as a first-year candidate.

2025 Jury of Fellows To view the list of jurors, visit the program website(Cycle tab).

To protect the integrity of the awards process, active nominees are prohibited from

contacting members of the Jury during the submission process.

Communication with any of the above, from the time of submittal to completion of the jury

process, by the candidate or anyone acting on their behalf is cause for immediate

disqualification.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Recognition Recognition for this program typically includes the following elements but may be subject

to change. Recipients will receive additional information about this cycle’s recognition

benefits with their selection notification.

• Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels.

• New fellows will receive an invitation to participate in the College of Fellows

(COF) Investiture Ceremony where medals are bestowed upon the new fellows

with family and friends in attendance. AIA Awards Gala, and other COF events

take place before and after Investiture at the AIA Conference on Architecture. For

more information about these events, contact [email protected]

Evaluation Criteria

General Criteria Demonstrating Impact: The Ripple Effect

Candidates for Fellowship in the AIA are required to submit an application that include

documentation of work that demonstrates the “ripple effect” they have had on the

profession. This is shorthand for the impact you and your work have had on the profession of

architecture and on society, beyond the day-to-day work of your practice or outside your

geographic region. For examples, ripple effect could be demonstrated by public speaking,

national and regional publications, mentoring, teaching, service to the profession,

geographic impact, or legacy through others.

AIA Values

Throughout the submission, candidates are encouraged to highlight any aspects of their

work as an architect or life experience that has reflected contributions to or influence of

areas of special interest to AIA, its members, and the architecture profession. These include,

but are not limited to, the Public Policies and Position Statements of the AIA

. Contributions

or influences might include such areas as diversity, sustainability, or the mentoring of

emerging professionals, to the degree the candidate has had the opportunity to address

them, or as these topics may enhance the presentation.

AIA Framework for Design Excellence

While Fellowship submissions are not required to fit comprehensively within the framework

principles, you are strongly encouraged to consider your submission in this context. For

additional information visit the AIA Framework for Design Excellence

Criteria: Objects Fellowship is awarded in one of six Objects. The jury considers how candidates have shown

distinction within the specific context of the Object identified by the candidate as the one

which best describes the broad character of their work.

Each candidate is required to select one Object and one Sub-object and is encouraged to

choose the Object and Sub-object which best describes the focus of the candidate’s impact,

around which the content of the submittal should be developed. The Object should serve as

an overarching framework that highlights the area of impact, and frames the story being told

as to how the candidate’s achievements have benefited society and the profession beyond

their own firm or community.

Object One: To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession.

Sub-objects: Design, Urban Design and Planning, Preservation

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Fellowship in this Object is granted to architects who have produced an extensive body of

distinguished work that has been broadly recognized for its design excellence by their peers,

the media, and/or through publications to have a significant effect on the trajectory of

architectural design. Work should exhibit excellence through a holistic approach that

integrates creativity, functionality, sustainability, user-centricity, context sensitivity, and

cultural relevance to create meaningful and impactful built environments that enrich the

lives of people and communities. Works submitted may be of any size, for any client, of any

scope, and reflecting any type of architectural design service. Ideally AIA Framework for

Design context should be part of the submittal. This may be accomplished through individual

or collaborative effort.

• Design may include design of a building or project.

• Urban Design and Planning may include design related to a city, district, or campus.

• Preservation may include design related to the restoration, conservation, and/or the

rehabilitation of a culturally significant work (this differs from the Sub-object of

Technical Advancement in Preservation of Object 2).

Object Two: To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the

standards of practice.

Sub-objects: Practice Management, Practice Technical Advancement

Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions

through their work in the practice of architecture.

• Practice Management may include firm leadership, management, administration, or

project management.

• Practice Technical Advancement may include specific building types such as

Education, Healthcare, etc., and/or technical expertise such as building performance,

envelope design, etc. (For example, practice technical advancement of preservation

projects might be based on the architect’s strong commitment to historical research,

implementation of unique preservation techniques, and coupled with their strong

focus on the actual construction implementation to enhance our physical heritage.)

Object Three: To lead the building industry and the profession of architecture.

Sub-objects: Led the Institute, Led a Related Organization

Fellowship in this Object is granted to architects who have actively, efficiently, and

cooperatively led the Institute or a related professional organization over a sustained period

of time and have gained widespread recognition for the results of their work. Architects

applying in this Object should include information to show how they:

• elevated the role of the profession and the Institute (or related organization) in the

eyes of the community.

• enhanced the visibility of the Institute (or related organization).

• directly impacted members’ engagement with the Institute (or related organization),

that through their actions members are more invested/engaged with the Institute

(or related organization) and its mission; make note if the value of the Institute (or

related organization) to members has been improved and how.

• created or enhanced initiatives that empower members to be more active in the

Institute (or related organization) and/or their community, how members have been

affected by these initiatives, show if these initiatives have been replicated or

inspired others to create new initiatives in their regions, and can initiatives sustain

themselves once candidate is no longer involved.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• show impact beyond their chapter’s geographic location, i.e., your “ripple effect.”

Object Four: To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through

leadership of planning and design within an institution or organization that leads to their

improved environment and long-term impact.

Sub-objects: Public Service, Government, Industry Organizations

Fellowship in this Object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions in

public service, government, or industry organizations by providing transformative leadership

in architecture, planning, and design of an organization’s unique built environment.

Architects applying in this Object will have clearly raised the standards of professional

practice within organizations they are part of by leading positive change that advances the

mission, impact, visibility, and effectiveness of organizations. Significant improvements can

include such elements as conservation, beautification, and expansion of buildings, landscape,

infrastructure, land-use regulation, transportation infrastructure, removal, or transformation

of blighted areas.

• Public Service may include providing leadership as an architect within the public

service sector including areas such as transportation infrastructure, energy and

environmental industry, public libraries, public art, public foundations.

• Government may include providing leadership as an architect within the military,

regional, national, or international government service areas such as embassies,

government funded programs such the Peace Corps or Army Corp of Engineers.

• Industry Organizations may include providing leadership as an architect within areas

such as healthcare, education, higher education, community foundations, and

cultural institutions or systems.

Object Five: To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society from outside the

profession.

Sub-objects: Alternative Career, Service to Society, Volunteer Work with Organizations not

directly connected with the Built Environment

Fellowship in this Object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to

one of the following:

• Alternative Career may include a career related to architecture that illustrates

outstanding achievements that support the architectural profession.

• Service to Society may include extensive volunteer work related to architecture with

organizations not directly connected with the built environment.

• Work with Organizations not directly connected with the Built Environment may

include service that transcends the customary architectural practice that have wide

reaching impacts that serve as a national model.

Object Six: To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the

standards of architectural education and training.

Sub-objects: Education, Research, Literature

Fellowship in this Object is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to

one of the following:

• Work in Education may include teaching, research, administration, or writing and

should have a lasting impact, be widely recognized, and provide meaningful

contributions to academic thought and scholarship including a commitment to

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

intellectual curiosity, rigor, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge for the

betterment of society.

• Work in Research may include building codes and standards, specifications, new

material applications, or inventions. Research should include work that has advanced

the profession, informed design practice, or has addressed pressing global issues

related to sustainability, urbanization, health, and social justice.

• Work in Literature may include writings that have inspired critical thinking, fostered

innovation, and contributed to the ongoing dialogue about the role of architecture in

shaping the world we inhabit.

Formatting Requirements and Portfolio Recommendations

Formatting

Requirements

Documents that do not conform to the following guidelines will be disqualified.

General formatting:

• PDF format

• 8.5 x 11” page size

• Numbered pages (do not number exhibits list or section headers ( if used )

• Maximum 40 pages (total not including reference letters, section headers if used)

and exhibits list

• Upload max for the submission platform is 25MB

Section order and page limits:

• Section 1 (maximum 2 pages)

o Sponsor Letter (max 1 page)

o Summary of Achievements (max 1 page)

• Section 2 (maximum 18 pages)

o 2.0: Curriculum Vitae

o 2.1: Significant Work

o 2.2: Significant Awards, Honors, and Recognition

o 2.3: Significant Publications

o 2.4: Significant Presentations and Speaking Engagements

• Section 3

o Exhibits List (do not include in total page count)

o Exhibits (minimum 7 – maximum 10 exhibits required; max 20 pages)

• Reference Letters (7 letters are required; max 1 page per letter)

(Letters do not apply towards page count)

• Section headers are unnecessary and are discouraged.

Sections with specific formatting requirements (see specific information for each below)

• Sponsor Letter

• Exhibits

• Reference Letters

• Images

Portfolio

Recommendations

These criteria are strongly recommended and help the jury to review applications.

• Clear, concise, legible text; avoid fonts smaller than 10 pt.

• Avoid multiple fonts, multiple colors of text, and the overuse of italics. Keep it

simple and clear

• Results-oriented language that is supported by outcome and impact data (e.g.,

testimonials, post occupancy evaluations, building performance data, etc.)

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• Consistent layout, ideally landscape orientation

• High-quality images

• Inclusion of testimonial quotes from individuals who are prohibited from acting as a

reference is strongly discouraged (e.g., members of the AIA Board of Directors and

Strategic Council; see the “Reference Letters” section for more information)

• In Section 2 avoid duplicating extensive detail that is found in an Exhibit such as

large charts, large photographs, etc.

• To ensure legibility all submissions should have sufficient contrast in both text and

graphics. It is recommended that your documents go through a contrast checker

such as the tool provided in Adobe Suite

Object Specific

Portfolio

Recommendations

• Object 1:

o Design: Include at least one photograph per project illustrating it in the

context of its surroundings. Include sketches that demonstrate the

development of the design idea.

o Urban Design and Planning: Include ‘before and after’ images to convey

context and impact.

o Historic Preservation: Include ‘before and after’ photographs, to convey

impact.

• Object 2:

o Practice Management: Include charts, diagrams, tools, etc. that illustrate

the information which best represents the story of your impact to firm,

such as innovations in firm organization or work, the growth of the firm,

methods for mentoring, learning, and advancement, example processes

for the profession, i.e., potential “ripple effect,” etc. The Sub-object

context is that your accomplishments have positively impacted the

profession beyond the confines of your office/firm.

o Technical Advancement: Include diagrams or other images that describe

advancements in your area of expertise and how they have affected the

practice of architecture. For preservation, include ‘before and after’

photographs.

• Object 3:

o Led the Institute: Include text, exhibits, charts, diagrams, tools, etc. which

best represents the story of how you elevated the value of the Institute.

Include photos if they clearly illustrate the importance of events, community

initiatives, and/or personal involvement. Show how you shared your

leadership, initiatives, and impact at a local level to the broader profession.

o Led a Related Organization: Include text, exhibits, charts, diagrams, tools,

etc. which best represents the story of your impact on the Related

Organization. Include photos if they clearly illustrate the importance of

events, community initiatives, your personal involvement and impact. Show/

describe how you shared your leadership, initiatives, and impact at a local

level to the broader profession.

• Object 4:

o Public Service, Government, or Industry (Architects working within and

representing larger institutions or organizations): Include data or

information that illustrates how your work went beyond the confines of

your job. Clearly communicate the long-range impact of your work.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• Object 5:

o Alternative Career, Service to Society, Volunteer Work with

Organizations not directly connected with the Built Environment: Include

stories of challenges, your actions, and the impact; use data, diagrams,

exhibits, and photos which will enhance the understanding of the results

and your participation. Impact should go beyond the local level; this may

be represented by media, publications, tools which are shared, to

characterize how your efforts may have a far-reaching impact that is a

service to society.

• Object 6:

o Education: Include photographs of student work, in addition to diagrams

of educational tools developed, context of assignment, etc. Include at least

one example with photographs/images of the candidate’s own work.

Include results of research, reach of literature, etc.

o Research and Literature: Include data and exhibits which will enhance the

understanding of your impact on the profession, such as the extent of its

reach.

See the “Portfolio Sections and Format” and “Images and Copyright Information” sections

for additional recommendations on those topics. You can view successful submissions in

each Object on the Resources tab of the program website

Portfolio Sections

Section 1:

Summary Statement

and Summary of

Achievements

Summary Statement (25-35 words)

Often referred to as the candidate’s “zinger,” this statement is the most distilled version of

the candidate’s argument for elevation. It should directly communicate impact and establish

clear themes for the portfolio to follow.

The Summary of Achievements is a high-level narrative of why the candidate should be

elevated under the specified Object. A strong summary page uses direct, clear language to

communicate the key achievements and results that the portfolio will explore in greater

detail. (Maximum of one page including the Summary Statement)

Candidates are advised to choose thematic areas for this page to focus on, all of which

connect back to the Summary Statement. Candidates can see examples of summary pages by

reviewing previous submissions on the program website

(Resources tab). Candidates should

provide both an overview and specifics of their achievements and results in the thematic

areas. Strong connection to the Sub-object selected is necessary.

Section 2:

Significant

Accomplishments

Section 2 takes a broad look at the impact of the candidate’s work and accomplishments in

relation to their Object. This compliments the Exhibits which provide more extensive detail

for key projects or accomplishments. A strong Section 2 will:

• demonstrate a broad ripple effect by describing the candidate’s actions and impact,

and by supporting their impact with outcome data.

• connect back to the Object and Sub-object. For example, if a candidate is applying

under Object 2: Practice Management, then the descriptions should show how the

candidate’s management and practice model resulted in a successful project,

award, media coverage, etc. or firm management results.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• expand upon the story of the themes laid out in the summary page.

• cross reference significant work to the Exhibits as applicable.

• explain any gaps in service, awards, publications etc.

2.0 Curriculum Vitae: Provide summary of education and work experience. (This will

primarily be a duplicate of information from the on-line form.)

2.1 Significant Work: Projects, jury service, AIA involvement, civic/volunteer involvement,

teaching.

• Always describe achievements that relate directly to the Object and Sub-object

first.

• For positions held, including voluntary ones, include the title and organization

name, the duties involved, results achieved, and dates the candidate held the

position. It is recommended that information is organized to reinforce the

candidate’s story and highlight their “ripple effect” on the profession and to

reinforce their Summary Statement and achievements.

• For design or construction projects, include the location and year of completion and

candidate’s specific role or achievement for the project. If work was accomplished

as co-collaborator or co-designer specifically identify those individuals.

2.2 Significant Awards, Honors, and Recognition

• Highlight the most significant awards relative to the Object and Sub-object. For

most significant awards/honors provide overview of the award/honor, purpose/

focus, and the reason for recognition.

• Include the years in which awards were received.

• Organize/group awards together by type (e.g., AIA National Awards, AIA

Component Awards, government honors, education awards, etc.) or by theme

(topic, project, theme from the summary page, etc.) so they communicate

connection and support of the Object and/or the Summary Statement.

2.3 Significant Publications: books, articles, blogs, guides, infographics, curricula, briefs, etc.

• Organize and clarify which entries are “written by you” vs. “about you” vs. “about

your work.”

• Note the audience and reach of the entry when possible, so the jury can easily

understand impact.

• Describe if and how the publication(s) has made a significant “ripple effect,” has

elevated the profession and reinforces the focus of the candidate’s Summary

Statement.

• If the title of the entry does not clearly tie back to the candidate’s stated Object or

summary themes, add a brief description about the contents or importance based

on the Object.

• Add hyperlink to related articles if possible and relevant to the Object and

Sub-object.

2.4 Significant Presentations and Speaking Engagements

• Include a brief description of presentation and targeted audience.

• Include the year in which engagements occurred.

• Organize/group by year, type, or theme.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• Note the audience and reach of the presentation when possible, so the jury can

easily understand impact.

Section 3:

Significant

Accomplishments:

Exhibits

An Exhibit is an in-depth documentation of a project that emphasizes the candidate’s

contributions and describes in detail how the candidate’s involvement directly resulted in its

success. Typically, this section begins with the Exhibit that speaks most strongly to the Object

and Sub-object, Summary Statement and Ripple Effect.

Exhibits are not limited to design work and can include practice/education models,

volunteering, publications, organizational leadership, etc.

For AIA Fellowship all candidates are expected to show built or completed projects, such as a

building, published reference book, textbook, peer reviewed research effort, etc.

Exhibits that do not include the following information are subject to disqualification. If you

are unsure how this information applies to your Exhibits, please contact us at

[email protected]

Descriptive Data:

• Project Name

• Organization or Design Firm

• Architect or Architecture Firm of Record (if built work)

• Completion Date: For built work, this is the date of substantial completion. For

management or other project work, this refers to when your work on the project

ended or when the project itself was complete.

• Role of Candidate: Candidate’s specific title or role on the team (e.g., Founder,

Designer, Project Manager, etc.). For Object One, the applicant should note when

they were “largely responsible for design” or if the work was accomplished as a

co-design or collaboration, clarify the specific nature of the “collaborative effort”

and the significant responsibility of the applicant. Co-designer or collaborators must

be identified.

• Synopsis: Challenge presented/candidate’s specific role/resolution and outcome -

as a description which provides detailed benefit, impact, and results of the

candidate’s participation in the project/firm.

• Project Aspects: Include aspects of projects that demonstrate alignment with the

AIA Framework for Design Excellence, such as sustainability and environmental

design challenges and outcomes.

• Awards and Publications: Include awards and publications about the project, as

applicable.

Object Specific Requirements:

• Object One: Exhibits must include a minimum of 5 built projects for which the

candidate “plays a significant role in the design.” When work is generated with

co-designers or collaborators, the co-designers or collaborators must be identified,

and the candidate’s role clearly defined.

• Object Two: Exhibits must include a minimum of 5 completed/built projects.

• Objects Three, Four, Five, and Six: Exhibits must include a minimum of 1

completed/built project, such as a building, published reference book, textbook,

peer reviewed research effort, etc.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Declaration of

Responsibility

Each Exhibit must include a declaration by someone (other than the candidate) who can

certify the candidate’s stated responsibility. It is highly recommended that the individual be

the client, from a collaborating firm, or participant in the project if from the applicant’s firm.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include declarations from a variety of sources as

opposed to one individual.

For the declaration to be valid, it must follow this format:

I have personal knowledge of [the nominee’s responsibility, for example: played a

significant role in the design, was a lead co-designer of the project, project under

direction of nominee, or nominee’s firm executed project, etc.]

[Name]

[Title and/or Relationship to the Exhibit]

Signatures: The name of the person making the declaration is sufficient to verify any claims

called into question. Please do not include images of signatures or digital signatures as they

make the elevated portfolios harder to redact for archival purposes.

Sample declarations:

Testimonials: Inclusion of testimonial quotes from individuals prohibited from acting as a

reference is strongly discouraged (e.g., members of the AIA Board of Directors and Strategic

Council). See the “Reference Letters” section for more information.

Nomination & Sponsor Information

Nominator * Architect members may be nominated by:

• the governing board of any component organization.

• a minimum of five (5) Fellows or ten (10) Architect members residing elsewhere.

The nomination signature sheet

should be completed by your nominator(s) and uploaded to

the submission form. For the purposes of a component nomination, the president or

executive may sign on behalf of the component’s board.

The applicant will be prompted to select an Object of Nomination and upload the

nomination signature sheet. The nomination signature sheet is not reviewed by the jury.

Sponsor Role and

Duties

Sponsors support and advise the candidates as they prepare their submission and are

required to write a letter of support for the candidate which summarizes their contributions

and introduces the portfolio. The sponsor letter should clearly state the Object of

Nomination and Sub-object selected by the candidate and should provide strong testimony

and specific references to the candidate’s achievements within the Object identified. Ideally,

themes and key points made by the candidate in their Summary Statement and summary

page should be reflected in themes and key points made by the sponsor in their letter as an

introduction to the application.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Sponsors assist the candidate by acting as a point of contact for the reference writers,

ensuring they are fully aware of the candidate’s summary page and can further support the

candidate’s application by providing direct reinforcement of stated themes and

accomplishments relevant to their shared experiences. Sponsors should support the

candidate in selecting their slate of writers to ensure a strong, diverse pool of writers who

hold the candidate in high esteem, can provide valuable reinforcement of the candidate’s

application, and will complete the task of submitting the one-page letter within the defined

timeline for submission.

Sponsors provide support, guidance, and clarification of application requirements as

needed, including clarification from AIA staff if information shared on the AIA website does

not cover any questions that may arise. Of greatest importance is the sponsor’s guidance

relative to the candidate’s selection of the most appropriate Object and Sub-object, and

through clarification of application requirements as they relate to the candidate’s selected

Object and Sub-object.

Sponsors should be aware of the specific requirements for each Object and Sub-object

such that they can review all sections of the portfolio and advise the candidate as to the

alignment of materials with stated requirements for the candidate’s specific Object and

Sub-object.

Sponsors are required to complete “Unpaid Labor and Code of Ethics” and “Professional

Conduct” declarations. You can track the receipt of these forms in the left-hand menu of the

submission site under “My Submissions > Pending 3

Party Action.”

Sponsor Eligibility Any Fellow or Architect member in good standing may act as a sponsor, and a member may

sponsor multiple candidates in the same cycle. Your sponsor may also be one of your

nomination signatories. Sponsors should not also write or co-author reference letters and

should not provide declarations of responsibility for Exhibits as this reduces the perception

of the candidate’s broad impact with the profession.

Ideally the sponsor should be someone who knows the candidate well and can speak

knowledgeably and critically about their career. There is no restriction on a member of the

candidate’s firm acting as a sponsor, however, this approach puts more onus on the

submission to demonstrate the candidate’s broad influence beyond the firm.

No current AIA National Officer, Officer-elect, member of the Board, member of the

Strategic Council, members of the College of Fellows Executive Committee, member of the

Jury of Fellows, member of the Jury of Honorary Fellows, or AIA or component staff person

may sponsor or be reference for a nominee for Fellowship.

The Secretary, Secretary-elect, members of the Jury of Fellows, and Jury of Honorary Fellows

members may not be sponsors/references for three (3) years after completion of their terms

of service.

Sponsor Letter

Requirements

Please note that letters that do not conform to these requirements will not be reviewed by

the jury and that this may impact the success of the candidate.

• Included as the first page of the portfolio

• PDF format

•

Maximum of one page per letter

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• Company name and address must be included in the letterhead (Retired or

Emeritus members may use their personal information)

• Writers must include their name and applicable AIA designation at the bottom of

the letter

Letters should be addressed to the Jury Chair, whose name will be posted on the

program

website after the chair’s appointment. If the Chair has not been appointed when a letter is

ready for submittal, the sponsor may use the below information:

Jury Chair

[year] Jury of Fellows

American Institute of Architects

Sponsor Letter

Recommendations

A strong sponsor letter will avoid broad generalizations and speak directly to the following:

• The candidate’s Summary Statement

• The candidate’s key accomplishments

• Sponsor’s explanation as to why the applicant is a good candidate for elevation to

Fellowship in relation to the program criteria

• Introduce the Object and Sub-object of the candidate’s submission

• Introduce the themes of the Summary of Achievements

• Highlight the candidate’s “ripple effect” and impact on the profession

Sponsor Name *

Email *

Member Number *

Firm/Organization *

Title *

Phone *

Reference Letters

Reference Letters References should come from people who know the candidate well and are able to verify

and testify to their accomplishments from a broad range of perspectives and contexts

(mentor, competitor, client, colleague, etc.). Sponsors should work with the candidate to

determine their slate of writers.

Letter writers should support an accomplishment or experience with the candidate that

aligns with the Object of Nomination. Collectively the letters should reinforce the

candidate’s Summary Statement, accomplishments, and “ripple effect” to the profession.

Ideally the reference letter writer should highlight item(s) briefly described in the Summary

of Achievements page that they have personal knowledge/understanding of.

No current AIA National Officer, Officer-elect, member of the Board, member of the

Strategic Council, member of the College of Fellows Executive Committee, member of the

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Jury of Fellows, member of Jury of Honorary Fellows, or AIA or component staff person may

sponsor or be a reference for a nominee for Fellowship.

Letters received after the submission deadline or that do not conform to the formatting

requirements below, will not be reviewed by the jury.

Required letters:

• Seven letters are required for all fellowship applications.

• Five of the letters must be from AIA members in good standing. This can be any AIA

member type.

Additional letters and rollover:

• Second year candidates may include up to 10 letters.

• Third year candidates may include up to 13 letters.

• Second- and third-year candidates have the option to rollover or replace letters

from the previous cycle’s application and will be prompted to do that in the

reference letter section of the application.

Formatting requirements:

• PDF format

• Maximum of one page per letter

• Company name and address must be included in the letterhead (Retired or

Emeritus members may use their personal information)

• Writers must include their name and AIA designation at the bottom of the letter.

• Letters must be provided to Honors & Awards via the online submission platform.

Letters sent by email, postal service, etc. will not be reviewed by the jury.

Confidentiality requirements:

All reference letters are to remain confidential, and candidates should limit contact with

their letter writers. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to act as a point of contact to the

reference writers, establish if each is willing to act as a reference, answer questions, etc.

Improper influence on writers by the candidate is grounds for disqualification.

Letter submission and management:

Letters can be requested at any point after you begin your submission. When you enter the

writer’s name and email, they are emailed instructions and a unique link to upload their

letter. After you send a request, you will see in red next to the writer’s name whether they

have uploaded their letter.

Writers can upload their letters after submitting their application if it is prior to the

submission deadline. After submitting, writers can track the receipt of reference letters in

the left-hand menu of the submission site under “My Submissions > Pending 3

Party

Action.”

Candidate Year * The candidate must select their candidate year status in the online application to view the

correct number of reference letters allowed/required. See pg. 2; Candidate Year.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Reference Letter * The candidate will be asked to fill out a field for each reference writer.

Note: The request email to writers uses the candidate’s name as provided in the Candidate

Information section. If candidates have not completed this field, the platform will direct

them to that page when they try to submit the writer’s information.

Full Name:

Email:

Would you like to

replace an of your

original letters? *

This field will only appear for second- and third-year candidates.

Candidate Information

Name * Please provide the name of the candidate as it should appear on all announcements and

notifications.

Name Pronunciation * This will be used to aid in announcing the candidate’s name during the Investiture Ceremony

if elevated.

Application Year * Select: First Year, Second Year, or Third Year

Note: Candidates revert to a First Year any time they take a cycle off.

Member Number *

Component *

Firm/Organization *

Phone *

Email *

Address *

Social media AIA social media may have the opportunity to tag recipients in our social media posts, as

applicable. Please provide any relevant personal or organization social media handles below.

Height * This will be used to determine candidate’s robe size for the Investiture Ceremony if elevated.

Demographic

Information

All demographic information provided is confidential, and only used for statical purposes.

Gender *  Male

 Female

 Non-binary

 Self-described

 Prefer not to say

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Ethnicity * Please select all that apply:

 American Indian

 Alaskan Native

 Asian – Chamorro (Guam)

 Asian – Chinese

 Asian – Filipino

 Asian – Indian

 Asian – Japanese

 Asian – Korean

 Asian – Vietnamese

 Asian – Samoan

 Asian – Other Pacific Islander

 Asian – Other

 Black or African American

 Hispanic – Cuban

 Hispanic – Mexican

 Hispanic – Puerto Rican

 Hispanic – Other

 MENA – (Middle Eastern or North African)

 Native Hawaiian

 White or Caucasian

 Other Race/Ethnicity

 Prefer not to say

Unpaid Labor

Declaration *

If you cannot answer ‘Yes’ to the Unpaid Labor Declaration Policy, you are not eligible to

submit for this honor. Please contact HonorsAwards@aia.org

should you have any questions

concerning our Unpaid Labor Declaration Policy.

 I declare, acknowledge, and affirm that I do not utilize, employe, or otherwise

engage labor that is unpaid, including working students, and neither does any firm

of which I am an owner or manager, in part or in whole. I acknowledge this wording

shall cover all persons working under my employ or that of my firm, regardless of

position or title. I also recognize that exceptions recognized by federal law (such as

legally defined internships or educational cooperative programs) or by the AIA

Rules of the Board are exempt from this Policy.

 I further declare, acknowledge, and affirm that I have not utilized any unpaid labor

as defined above:

• for a minimum of 5 years prior to the application deadline for all Institute

Honor Awards (if I am a candidate for such an award); and

• a minimum of 10 years prior to the application deadline for all other

Institute Honors, including the Honors Program, Membership Honors

Awards, and Collaborative and Achievement Awards (if I am a candidate

for any of those awards).

 I acknowledge adherence to the terms of this Policy.

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Code of Ethics

and Professional

Conduct *

The AIA stands for universal respect for human dignity, and the unbiased treatment of all

persons in employment, civic, and business transitions regardless of race, gender, sexual

orientation, gender identity, physical abilities, or religious practices.

• I affirm that I uphold this value in all my business and professional practices, and in

all my activities and conduct relating to the AIA.

Professional Conduct is mandatory for all AIA members and enforceable by the National

Ethics Council.

• I affirm that, throughout the course of my AIA membership, I have consistently

abided by the AIA Code of Ethics, have not engaged in conduct that may have

violated the AIA Code of Ethics and have not been found to have violated the AIA

Code of Ethics.

Background Check * The AIA reserves the right to conduct a background check of potential recipients of AIA

Honors and Awards:

• I understand as a potential recipient of an AIA Honor or Award I may be subject to a

background check and hereby consent to such a background check and to such

other inquiry as the AIA, in its sole discretion, may determine to be appropriate.

Materials for Jury

Review

The information in this section is not shared with the jury. Additional information about the

candidate, such as work and education history, will be required on the “Materials for Jury

Review” section.

Images and Copyright Information

Portfolio Images Quality photographs, diagrams, sketches, mapping, and other images help the candidate to

tell their story and help the jury to review the portfolio.

General image recommendations:

• When selecting images, or photographs which include the candidate, consider

whether they highlight the candidate’s contributions, speak to the candidate’s

Object, or support the candidate’s summary themes.

• Avoid large images of the candidate, especially if the do not add anything to the

story.

• If a project is built, include photographs so the jury can see the resolution of the

design.

• If a particular element is referenced in summary themes or in the project

description, include images that demonstrate it. This is particularly important if the

submission is for Object One: Design, Object Two: Technical Advancement.

• Images with text (diagrams, charts, screen captures, books, etc.) should be legible.

Keep it simple and clear.

Announcement

Image

Candidates are asked to upload a headshot to be used for the Fellowship Directory and

announcements in AIA channels. This photo is not for jury review.

Image specifications:

• jpg, png format

•

1:1 aspect ratio (square)

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

• Resolution: at least 72 dpi. Minimum 600 pixels wide

• File name: “Last Name_First Name”

Images that do not align with AIA’s style guidelines or are not supported by our web

platform will not be used. If we need to source an alternate image, that could impact

inclusion in certain announcements.

Licensing

Agreement

For good and valuable consideration, the exchange of which is hereby acknowledged, I grant

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) a non-exclusive license to use any text, brochures,

drawings, photographs, graphics, plans, slides, books, transparencies, or other copyrighted

material (Material), identified on this form or otherwise provided in connection with this

submission.

This license shall permit limited rights to use, reproduce, crop or resize, publicly display,

distribute, and transmit worldwide the Material during the full term of the copyright in all

media without payment of any royalty or license fee in connection with the announcement,

promotion, or archival purposes of any AIA Honors & Awards program.

I represent that I have obtained all permissions necessary to grant the limited rights granted

herein and the use or reproduction of the Material by AIA shall not, to the best of my

knowledge, information, and belief, infringe or violate any other person’s copyright or other

intellectual property right.

I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS AIA FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS OR

DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THESE REPRESENTATIONS.

By entering your name below you acknowledge and agree to the terms herein.

Materials for Jury Review

This page includes the information that the Jury will refer to during their review.

Candidate Name * Please provide the name of the candidate as it should appear on all announcements and

notifications.

Candidate’s

Summary

Statement *

Describe how the candidate’s work may be considered notable and how it has advanced the

profession of architecture in a 25 to 35-word statement.

A simple statement can sometimes say a lot more than one that is overreaching, and the jury

will rely heavily on this statement during the review process.

Candidate’s

Education *

Provide a listing of the candidate’s higher-education background in reverse chronological

order, as shown below:

 [Institution name], [dates attended], [degree(s) received, if applicable]

Candidate’s

Licensure *

List all states or territories where the candidate is currently licensed to practice architecture.

Candidate’s

Work History *

Provide a listing of the candidate’s employers in reverse chronological order, as shown

below:

 [Firm/Organization], [dates employed]

AIA Fellowship - 2025 Application Guidelines and Recommendations

Upload Materials

For Jury Review *

Submit the candidate’s portfolio as a single PDF file (upload max 25 MB). This file should

conform with program criteria and formatting requirements on pg. 6.

Ready to Submit? *  I verify that all the information associated with this nomination is accurate and that

I am ready to submit.

 I understand once the submission is completed no further edits may be made.