Call for Nominations - 2025 IAFIE Lifetime Achievement Award

1.  All IAFIE members in good standing are invited to nominate candidates for the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, the selection process for which was approved by the Board of Directors in May 2020.  To date, 4 individuals have been selected for this prestigious honor, Ms. Marilyn Peterson of the U.S. in 2020, Dr. Bob de Graaff of The Netherlands in 2022, Mr. Robert Heibel of the U.S. in 2023, and Dr. Joseph Gordon in 2024.  The Board has the flexibility to decide whether or not to designate an awardee each year, which is the norm, and in unusual circumstances may decide to select no one at all or more than one individual.      
 
2.  To be eligible, a nominee must have made invaluable contributions to the field of intelligence, and especially intelligence scholarship, for an extended period of at least 20 years.  Thus, the term “lifetime” denotes this award recognizes dedicated service in education or training over an extended period, not just a few short-term, albeit significant, contributions or achievements.  The pool of eligible candidates includes full professors or university/college/program administrators involved in the teaching of intelligence; senior civilian or military government officials who are considered experienced intelligence practitioners; or high-level intelligence consumers who, over many years, have greatly promoted and supported the profession of intelligence.  Nominees may be active or retired from the intelligence enterprise and must be a citizen of one of the nations represented within the membership ranks of IAFIE.  Nominees may also be honored posthumously as an exception to normal practice if the Board so decides.  Being a current or past member of the Association is preferred, but not a strict requirement.  That said, a nominee’s qualifications definitely would be enhanced by present or past membership/involvement in IAFIE programs. 
 
3.  Self-nominations for this award, the highest one bestowed by IAFIE, are not authorized.  Candidates must be sponsored by a current IAFIE member, who will prepare and submit the application packet.  This packet must include a cover letter from the sponsor setting forth the justification for the nomination and addressed to the committee chair, currently the undersigned.  Attached to the letter will be the nominee’s resume; for academicians, a full CV is requested listing courses taught, publications, and significant presentations dealing with intelligence or national security.  Supporting letters of recommendation from others are strongly encouraged but not required. 
 
4.  Completed nomination packets for the 2025 award should be submitted electronically to the selection committee chair no later than June 20, 2025.  The committee will review all nominations and make a recommendation to the President by the July Board meeting, which will be followed by a vote of the IAFIE Board.  The selectee will be formally recognized at the next annual conference, scheduled for September 2025 in Madrid, Spain.  It is hoped the selectee will be able to attend that event and be formally honored in person.
   
5.  In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the honoree will be designated an IAFIE Distinguished Fellow, granted complimentary lifetime membership in the Association, and urged to participate in major activities for at least the following three years.  The Association will cover the recipient’s registration fees for the conference at which he/she is recognized.  The recipient will be expected to make a scholarly presentation during the conference, if able to attend.  If not, IAFIE will honor the selectee at the earliest opportunity during an international, national, or chapter-level event.
  
6.  Questions may be directed to the undersigned at (571 357-0085) or at marilynbp1@verizon.net  , to whom the nomination packet should be submitted.  In turn, the packet will be shared with other committee members for their assessment and ultimate recommendation to the President.  Your continued support for this worthwhile program is greatly appreciated.
 
Marilyn B. Peterson
Adjunct Associate Professor, Marymount University and Empire State University, SUNY
IAFIE Treasurer    
Chair, Selection Committee