The AIA Fellowship and Honorary Fellowship programs were developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Advancement to fellowship is one of the highest honors The American Institute of Architects can bestow upon an architect. The 2003 Fellows will be invested at Louis Kahn's Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla during the AIA national convention.

Who is eligible for nomination?
Architect members who have been in good standing for at least 10 years may be nominated for fellowship. Under guidelines set by the AIA Board of Directors, architect members may be advanced to fellowship if they have contributed notably to the advancement of the profession of architecture.

The AIA Honorary Fellowship program serves as the international counterpart to the Fellowship program. An architect of esteemed character and distinguished achievements—who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident of the U.S. and who does not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the Institute—may be admitted to honorary fellowship.

Candidates may be nominated in one of five categories, which correspond to the objects of the Institute. Click here for a list and explanation of the categories.

Who can nominate candidates for the awards?
Any component or a petition of 10 AIA member or 5 AIA Fellows may nominate qualified candidates for Fellowship. Each candidate must be sponsored by an AIA member or Fellow. Any member of the national AIA Board of Directors, College of Fellows, or the International Committee may nominate qualified individuals for Honorary Fellowship.

What format should the submission take?
Complete instructions and materials for the preparation of a Fellowship or Honarary Fellowship nomination may be obtained by contacting the AIA Honors and Awards Department, 202-626-7390 or rlee@aia.org.

When are submissions due?
Fellowship: Postmarked no later than October 18, 2002.
Honorary Fellowship: Postmarked no later than November 15, 2002.

Where do I send the submissions?
Fellowship: Nomination materials must be submitted to David Meckel, FAIA, Chair of the Jury of Fellows, c/o The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20006-5292.

Honorary Fellowship: Nomination materials must be submitted to James T. Fitzgerald, FAIA, Chair of the Jury for Honorary Fellows, c/o The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006-5292.

Why should I nominate someone?
Elevation to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession a model architect who has made a significant contribution to architecture and society.

How do I get more information about the Awards?
Contact the AIA Honors and Awards Department, 202-626-7563 or rmartin@aia.org, or go to www.aia.org/institute/honors.

Objects of the Institute and Corresponding Fellowship Categories

1. To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have produced distinguished bodies of work through design, urban design, or preservation. They may accomplish this through individual or organization effort. Works submitted may be of any size, for any client, of any scope, and reflecting any type of architectural design service.

2. To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training, and practice
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions through their work in education, research, literature, or practice of architecture. Work in education may be teaching, research, administration, or writing and should have a lasting impact, be widely recognized, and provide inspiration to others in the field and the profession. Research areas may include building codes and standards, specifications, new-material applications, or inventions. Practice includes firm management, administration, or project management.

3. To coordinate the building industry and the profession of architecture
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have actively, efficiently, and cooperatively led the Institute or related professional organizations over a sustained period of time and have gained widespread recognition for the results of their work.

4. To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions in public service or work in government or industry organizations through leadership in the development of civic improvements and needed governmental projects, including such elements as conservation, beautification, land-use regulation, transportation, or the removal of blighted areas, or who have clearly raised the standards of professional performance in these areas by advancing the administration of professional affairs in their fields.

5. To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society
Fellowship in this category is granted to architects who have made notable contributions to the public good through alternative careers or volunteer work with charitable organizations not directly connected to the built environment. Achievements may be of a kind that transcends the other categories for advancement to serve society or humanity in a unique and important manner.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.