Nominations Open for 2025 Achievement Awards

Honoring our Rising Stars!

The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) and the INSA Foundation (INSF) are now accepting nominations for the 2025 INSA Charlie Allen Achievement Awards. Celebrating its 15th year, these awards recognize outstanding early -to mid-career professionals in the intelligence, defense, homeland, and national security communities, as well as a senior leader committed to mentorship and workforce development. 

Each of the six awards is named in honor of a recipient of the William Oliver Baker Award, which INSA annually presents to a senior leader who has demonstrated sustained excellence in U.S. intelligence and national security affairs. 

"Recognizing the achievements of early- to mid-career professionals is essential not just for celebrating individual excellence but for cultivating a workforce equipped for the future," says INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. "By spotlighting the dedication and innovative thinking of these rising stars, we cultivate a culture of appreciation for the hard work and creativity required to tackle tomorrow’s challenges."

Nominations are due by close of business on Friday, October 25.

About the Awards

Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award: Open to public, private, and academic professionals up to and including GS-15/O-6 or equivalent rank.

Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award: Open to researchers and technologists conducting innovative scientific or technological R&D with potential to significantly impact intelligence, defense, and/or homeland security.

Richard J. Kerr Government Award: Open to civilian government employees up to and including GS-13 or equivalent rank. 

Edwin H. Land Industry Award: Open to contractors and non-government employees with 8 to10 years of non-executive experience. This award is exclusively for employees of INSA member companies. 

William O. Studeman Military Award: Open to uniformed military personnel up to and including 0-4/E-7.

John W. Warner Homeland Security Award: Open to law enforcement, intelligence analysts, and first responders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies at levels up to federal GS-13 or equivalent.

Questions? Contact Achievement@INSAonline.org

With so many hard-working early- to mid-career professionals powering the national security, intelligence, and homeland security communities, we know there is someone in your organization deserving of recognition!