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DEIA Champions Sponsorship Program
Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 DEIA Champions Program.
(1) Summary: Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Champions Program. Applications must be submitted online via deiachampions.org by November 8, 2024.
- The DEIA Champions Program brings together Senior Executive Service, Senior Foreign Service, and mid-level leaders to form a cohort of change agents who have a strong commitment to and demonstrated track record of advancing DEIA. Participants receive specialized leadership training in how to more effectively advance the Department’s DEIA goals, become more inclusive managers, improve accountability while making Department culture more inclusive, and recruit and lead high-performing and diverse teams.
- The program also pairs mid-level mentees with senior-level sponsors/mentors. Both sponsors and mentees receive professional development aimed at preparing them for roles of greater responsibility in the Department.
- Civil Service and Foreign Service generalists and specialists may apply. Applicants must be in the Senior Executive Service and Senior Foreign Service to be sponsors. FS-01, FS-02, GS-14, and GS-15 generalists and specialists may apply to be mentees. (See expanded criteria in para 8 for the participation of OMSes and Security Engineers.)
- This is the flagship program of the Secretary’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. We have expanded eligibility requirements to allow employees posted overseas to apply and participate. The program will include two in-person sessions and two virtual sessions. In-person sessions will take place January 21-24, 2025, and May 14-16, 2025. Virtual sessions will take place on February 12, 2025, and April 16, 2025. Participants posted overseas or outside of Washington will need to travel to Washington for all in-person sessions. Per agreement with regional bureaus, travel expenses will be covered by the post or bureau.
- Employees of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to be sponsors/mentors or mentees. Selection criteria for mentees and sponsors will be based on applicants’ demonstrated track record of advancing DEIA.
- Identify current Department leaders who want to become more effective DEIA champions, give them the tools needed to be successful advocates, diversify their networks, and provide them with specialized workshops on data-informed best practices for advancing DEIA;
- Pair strong mid-level employees and senior leaders who have a demonstrated track record of advancing DEIA and provide both with the tools they need to strengthen their competitiveness for and succeed in positions of greater responsibility;
- Close generational gaps in understanding today’s workforce and its expectations with respect to advancing DEIA and creating a culture of inclusion within the Department;
- Create brave spaces for candid and courageous conversations between Department leaders and program participants to discuss and develop solutions for the Department’s DEIA challenges.
(4) Benefit to Sponsors: Senior sponsors receive training on becoming more inclusive leaders and improving DEIA outcomes within their missions/bureaus. Sponsors will be able to point to a concrete way that they are advancing the Department’s DEIA goals (a criterion for obtaining senior leadership positions). Through their participation in this program, sponsors will be connected to a network of strong mid-level officers and DEIA champions from a wide array of backgrounds from which to expand their recruitment pool as they build teams in the future. Senior sponsors participating in the first year of this program said they grew to have a fuller appreciation for the DEIA challenges faced by colleagues in the mid- and junior ranks and the role they can play as senior leaders in resolving them. One participant from the program’s first year stated, “Participating in this program significantly broadened my abilities to not only better understand DEIA principles and the Department’s current policies and perspectives on the issues, but also address these issues in my day-to-day job in a meaningful and impactful way. It was a safe space to really have difficult conversations and had some of the best programming I’ve ever experienced in the Department.”
(5) Expectations: If selected, participants must commit to 100% participation in all workshops as well as meeting with their sponsor/mentee once per month during the six-month program. The program includes separate in-person and virtual workshops between November 2024 and May 2025. In-person sessions will take place January 21-24, 2025, and May 14-16, 2025. Virtual sessions will take place on February 12, 2025, and April 16, 2025. Participants posted overseas or outside of Washington will need to travel to Washington for all in-person sessions. Per agreement with regional bureaus, travel expenses will be covered by the post or bureau. Those selected whose posts do not have sufficient funding should contact their bureau’s senior DEIA advisor.
(6) Eligibility Criteria: Mentees must be FS-01, FS-02, GS-14, or GS-15 generalists or specialists (with the exception of OMSes and Security Technicians who may be FS-03s). Sponsors must be Senior Executive Service or Foreign Service generalists or specialists (with the exception of OMSes and Security Technicians who may apply to be sponsors as FS-02s). Selection will be based on applicants’ statement of interest and demonstrated track record of advancing DEIA.
(7) Application Requirements: A completed application is required of both sponsors and mentees. The application is not time-consuming and no longer requires letters of recommendation. Information solicited assists in pairing sponsors and mentees. A selection panel comprised of multiple Department offices – including S/ODI, FSI, GTM, among others – will first select a cohort of mentees based on their demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to advancing DEIA. Sponsors will then be selected to complement mentee needs and professional interests (experience, cone, regional background, functional expertise, etc.). Applicants will be informed regarding the status of their selection by November 22, 2024.
(8) Application Instructions: Applications for mentees and sponsors should be submitted through the application portal: deiachampions.org. Use your state.gov email address to apply. The deadline for applications is November 8, 2024.General questions about the program or application should be directed to DEIAChampions@howard.edu.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Champions Sponsorship Program - Mentees
Program Overview:
This program provides unique benefits to participants, including structured opportunities to develop a professional relationship with a sponsor in the senior ranks who will assist them in strategizing career next steps; provide advice as they navigate the bidding and assignments process, review performance evaluations, and be available for counsel regarding workplace opportunities and challenges. Participants will also engage in specialized training on how to advance DEIA as a mid-level leader. They will become part of a cohort of like-minded DEIA champions and allies with whom they can strategize on addressing DEIA challenges and learn skills to become stronger and more effective DEIA advocates in the Department.
Thank you for your interest in applying for the U.S. Department of State's DEIA Champions Sponsorship Program. This is the flagship program of the Secretary’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion designed to diversify and build a cohort of more effective DEIA champions in the Department's senior-most ranks.
The application is due by 11:59 PM on November 8, 2024.
This sponsorship program will:
- match FS-01, FS-02, GS-14, or GS-15 generalists or specialists (with the exception of OMSes and Security Technicians who may be FS-03s) who have a demonstrated track record of advancing the Department's DEIA goals with Senior Executive Service or Senior Foreign Service generalists and specialists (and FS-02 OMSes and Security Technicians);
- develop both mentees and sponsors to become more effective DEIA advocates and more inclusive leaders through specialized quarterly workshops; and
- incentivize a wider cross-section of Department employees to engage in advancing the Department's DEIA goals.
Employees of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This program provides unique benefits to participants, including structured opportunities to develop a professional relationship with a Senior Level sponsor who will assist them in strategizing career next steps; provide advice as they navigate career advancement, review performance evaluations, and be available for counsel regarding workplace opportunities and challenges. Participants will also engage in specialized training on how to advance DEIA as a mid-level leader. They will become part of a cohort of like-minded DEIA champions and allies with whom they can strategize on addressing DEIA challenges and learn skills to become stronger and more effective DEIA advocates in the Department.
Please read all questions carefully and answer as completely as possible. Required information is marked with an orange asterisk and must be completed in order for your application to be considered.
Eligibility Requirements:
- FS-01, FS-02, GS-14, or GS-15 generalists or specialists (with the exception of OMSes and Security Technicians who may be FS-03s)
Desired Characteristics:
- Demonstrated track record of advancing DEIA commitment to advancing DEIA principles and activities in the Department of State
Application elements will include the following:
- Individual information useful in matching sponsor with applicant
- Answer two questions that address past involvement and future interest in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives;
- A resume to review career performance and DEIA activities.
The application is due by 11:59 PM on November 8, 2024.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Champions Sponsorship Program - Sponsor
Program Overview:
This is the flagship program of the Secretary’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion designed to diversify and build a cohort of more effective DEIA champions in the Department's senior-most ranks.
This sponsorship program will:
- match FS-01, FS-02, GS-14, or GS-15 generalists or specialists (with the exception of OMSes and Security Technicians who may be FS-03s) who have a demonstrated track record of advancing the Department's DEIA goals with Senior Executive Service or Senior Foreign Service generalists and specialists (and FS-02 OMSes and Security Technicians);
- develop both mentees and sponsors to become more effective DEIA advocates and more inclusive leaders through specialized quarterly workshops; and
- incentivize a wider cross-section of Department employees to engage in advancing the Department's DEIA goals.
Sponsors will benefit from the program through an ability to make concrete contributions to advancing the Departments DEIA goals, which is increasingly a criterion for further senior leadership positions. Moreover, senior leaders will have an opportunity to engage with talented mid-level employees outside of their normal professional interactions, helping them to identify individuals to recruit in order to build inclusive teams that are DEIA champions. Sponsors will also learn concrete skills to become more inclusive leaders and to improve DEIA outcomes within their missions/bureaus.
Application Deadline: November 8, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Senior Executive Service;
- Senior Foreign Service generalist or specialist;
- FS-03 OMS or FS-02 Security Technical Specialist and DS specialist/agents.
Desired Characteristics:
- Strong commitment to and track record of mentoring less experienced employees
- Interested in advancing DEIA diversity goals;
- Professional excellence that can inform and inspire mid-career employees.
Application elements will include the following:
- Individual information useful in matching an applicant to a sponsor;
- Answer two questions that address past involvement and future interest in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives;
- Resume of any type that demonstrates professional background.
The application is due by 11:59 PM on November 8, 2024.
Process
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application. For a list of required information and attachments, please review the Sponsor and Mentee Tabs.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period (closes November 8, 2024), your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Nomination as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Application Deadline (November 8, 2024), you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.
Key Dates
| Mentee Application Timeline | |
| Opens | October 30, 2024 |
| Closes | November 8, 2024 |
| Sponsor Application Timeline | |
| Opens | October 30, 2024 |
| Closes | November 8, 2024 |
CONTACT US
DEIA Champions Sponsorship Program2218 6th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20059
Phone: (202) 806-4367
Email: DEIAChampions@howard.edu
