INTERESED IN BECOMING A FELLOW OF THE AIA?

THE AIA ST. LOUIS FELLOWS MENTORSHIP TEAM’S - GUIDE TO BECOMING A FELLOW 

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

"It is not the purpose of the fellowship to create an aristocracy of membership, but to give those who have shown their worth an accolade and a charge that their responsibilities have just begun." 

OVERALL PROCESS 

The process for becoming a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects is a demanding one. It requires a commitment of time, effort and voluminous documentation. Fellowship requires a demonstration of significant accomplishments over your career. Fellowship is a national award, so it is expected that accomplishments will demonstrate at least some professional influence and/or interest beyond the local, region or within your firm. 

Each candidate must have completed a total of at least 10 years of membership (need not be continuous) in good standing in the AIA and each candidate must be nominated by: 

• The governing board of the AIA St. Louis Chapter or the AIA Missouri Chapter
  In order to be nominated by the St. Louis Chapter candidates must obtain a letter of support from the AIA St. Louis Fellows Mentorship Team.
•  A minimum of five (5) fellows or ten (10) architect members residing anywhere.
  

If you are interested in fellowship, you should reach out to the AIA St. Louis Fellows Membership Team through the AIA St. Louis office who are available to provide advice and answer questions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process to AIA National consists of the following steps:

SPONSOR: The first step is to choose a sponsor, who must be an AIA or FAIA member in good standing. The sponsor should know the nominee very well and serves as your advocate to AIA National. Generally, the sponsor also functions as your primary advisor during the application process although the team is always available to provide additional support and advice. The sponsor letter plays an important role in the application.

FELLOWSHIP OBJECTS:

 The objects of nomination are essentially the award categories candidates apply under, and each object has specific criteria and requirements associated with it. The objects are identified in the AIA Rules of the Board (see: Rules, Section 2.5)

• Object 1: To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession.
  Sub-objects: Design, Urban Design, Preservation
  
  Fellowship in this object is granted to architects who have produced extensive bodies of distinguished work that has been broadly recognized for its design excellence through design, urban design, or preservation. This may be accomplished through individual or organizational effort. Works submitted may be of any size, for any client, of any scope, and reflecting any type of architectural design service.

• Object 2: 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 includes firm management, administration, and project management. Practice technical advancement includes specific building types, and technical expertise. For example, practice technical advancement of preservation projects might be based on the architect’s strong commitment to historical research, implementation of unique preservation technique, and coupled with their strong focus on the actual construction implementation to enhance our physical heritage.
  
   
• Object 3: To coordinate 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.

• Object 4: To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment.
  Sub-objects: Public service, Government, Industry Organizations
  
  Fellowship in this object 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.

• Object 5: To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.
  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: an alternative career related to architecture that illustrates outstanding achievements that supports the architectural profession; extensive volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment; or service that transcends the customary architectural practice that have wide reaching impacts that serve as a national model.

• Object 6: 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 through their work in education, research, or literature. 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.

The Ripple Effect

Candidates are asked to demonstrate the "ripple effect" they have had on the profession. This is shorthand for your impact beyond the day-to-day work of your practice or outside your community. Ripple effect could be demonstrated by speaking, publications, mentoring, service to the profession, geographic impact, or legacy through others. 

REFERENCES 

Choose seven references, of which a minimum of five must be AIA members in good standing. Reference letters are submitted directly to National without review by the nominee. 

APPLICATION 

Prepare a highly structured digital portfolio supporting the case for fellowship and submit it directly to the national Jury of Fellows (which changes annually), using the template provided and required by AIA National. This must be a well-crafted document with a compelling summary statement. Although outside support can be very helpful, it’s critical that you provide the majority of the content that highlights your contributions aligned with the selected Object.  It’s very helpful to review the examples of past submissions provided by AIA National on-line which show that the standards for a successful application are exceptionally high. Additionally, precise compliance with application requirements and format is required; applications that do not comply will be rejected without appeal, so attention to detail and careful review is imperative. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The requirements for fellowship are determined by AIA National and the national Jury of Fellows is the sole authority in the naming of Fellows. The jury is taken from the broadest geographic reach. The entire application is usually due in October of each year. Applicants should check the College of Fellows website for the exact deadline. The jury meets early in the following year to make and notify candidates of their success or failure to achieve fellowship before the list is made public in late winter. New fellows are elevated at the Investiture Ceremony and celebrated at a formal dinner at the AIA National Conference in the spring of each year. 

ROLE OF THE AIA ST. LOUIS FELLOWS MENTORSHIP TEAM

The St. Louis Chapter is proud of its many outstanding members. The newly formed AIA St. Louis Fellows Membership Team was developed to identify potential new fellowship candidates who exemplify excellence in their work and achievements, and to provide support and mentorship to those AIA members that are researching, applying for, and seeking Fellowship within the AIA. We welcome interest from any St. Louis AIA member in whatever phase of their career who are considering Fellowship. You can reach the team through the AIA St. Louis Chapter. 

RESOURCES

Fellowship requirements, examples and submittal documents: https://www.aia.org/design-excellence/awards/fellowship

A personal reflection: