About The AIAPrograms & Initiatives

This Program celebrates and invites the contributions of architects, AIA chapters, and others toward the goal of a more diverse profession. Up to twelve submissions will be selected annually to be recognized as Diversity Best Practices. An award will be presented to each selected recipient, whose diversity efforts will be featured in AIA publications and on the AIA web site.

The Diversity Recognition Program seeks to recognize architects for exemplary commitment and contributions to diversifying the profession of architecture. A diversified profession mirrors the society it serves; celebrates and encourages the contributions of all architects, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious belief, geographic location, or practice; encourages alternatives to traditional practice models; and provides opportunities for a greater variety of individuals to become architects, take advantage of leadership opportunities, and influence our practices and our professional lives.

Call For Submissions: November 30, 2012

Deadline for Submissions: February 6, 2013

Jury Review: February – March 2013

DRP Recipients Selected: March 2013

Announcement of Recipients: April 2013

Celebration of Selections: June 2013 (AIA National Convention)

This call for submissions is open to all, including members of the AIA and non-AIA members.* Firms submitting for the 2013 AIA Diversity Recognition Program should be able to demonstrate an adherence to the values of diversity and inclusion. Firms incorporate and/or are striving to demonstrate the values of Diversity and Inclusion as demonstrated by:

Underrepresented individuals in principal positions (reflective of area demographics)

Underrepresented individuals in line for succession to principal positions

Recruitment programs for underrepresented individuals

Fair/equitable hiring practices

Support of underrepresented students through scholarships and mentoring

Business relationships with non-majority owned firms e.g., joint ventures, contracting

Policies that support work-life balance

Compensation/pay equity for all employees of similar education and experience

No active litigation for discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, age or religious belief (see AIA Public Policy and Position Statements on Diversity).

*Prior recipients of the AIA Diversity Recognition Program are not eligible to resubmit their AIA-recognized initiatives. Submissions by prior recipients must feature a new initiative not currently recognized as an AIA Diversity Best Practice.

The AIA encourages submissions with a wide variety of support materials – letters/testimonials from program participants, images of projects, etc. All submissions must be sent as a single PDF file. Submissions should consist of knowledge gained from experience and be immediately applicable to a task at hand.

Submission materials must include the following and be presented in this order:

Application (two pages)

If submitted by an individual, a resume not to exceed two pages

If submitted by a firm, a firm profile not to exceed two pages

If submitted by an organization, an organization profile not to exceed two pages

Two one-page letters of support that are explicit in their recommendation and contain specific reasons for support (the one page letter may contain an original or electronic signature)

Support Materials (i.e.: historical data, such as number of participants; written feedback from participants; images and literature from programs; marketing materials; costs, etc.), not to exceed 15 pages

Signed waiver/release form (one page)

If two or more individuals collaborate on a submission, the submission must include for each person: an application form (two pages), a resume (not to exceed two pages), and a signed waiver/release form (one page).

**Click here for a submission packet checklist.**