Carolina Diplomacy Lab

Are you interested in finding solutions to shared global challenges? The Carolina Diplomacy Lab, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, is a critical part of the Diplomacy Initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill.

What is the Diplomacy Lab?

Launched in 2013, the Diplomacy Lab is a State Department program that collaborates with U.S. universities to engage students in foreign policy research and solutions to complex global challenges such as climate change, democracy and human rights, global health, energy security, gender equality, economic policy, trafficking in persons, food security, and conflict and stabilization.

Through faculty guidance, students work on projects that come directly from State Department offices and posts, allowing students to engage in the work of diplomacy and contribute to policymaking.

Twice a year, the State Department seeks bids for dozens of proposals. Faculty leaders submit bids on projects for the following semester. Faculty serve as mentors for students conducting research and completing projects, which can be conducted as part of a course, seminar, or as an independent project. Projects must be completed by two or more students and must have faculty oversight. Often, as part of the project, students have the opportunity to engage with Department of State staff. Student groups may have the opportunity to present their work in Washington, D.C. at the Diplomacy Lab fair.

How can faculty participate?

All UNC-Chapel Hill faculty are eligible to submit bids for projects with degree-seeking students (undergraduate or graduate) as part of a course, seminar, or independent project/capstone.  

Submit a bid: While more than one bid is allowable, only bid on projects you can undertake if selected as there are no alternate or back-up bids. Once you have identified a good match, please complete this form to submit a bid.

UNC-Chapel Hill Deadline: Oct. 1, 2024 for Spring 2025 projects

After the UNC deadline, UNC Global Affairs staff may provide comments before sending the bids to the State Department, at which point you will have a chance to revise your bid. 

Each project typically accepts one bid nationwide (some projects may accept more), so not everyone is guaranteed a project. However, a Round 2 Project Menu will be sent out shortly after initial notification which will include projects that were not matched with bids. Round 2 bidding has a rolling deadline.  

Support: UNC Global Affairs offers a $2,500 grant to faculty who either integrate a Diplomacy Lab project into their course or guide a student team working independently on a project. 

Carry out the project: All Diplomacy Lab projects require an engaged faculty mentor. Faculty mentors serve as the point of contact between the student project team and the State Department staff and provide project guidance for students throughout the semester.

1. Once selected, State Department officials who requested the project will connect with the faculty leader. At this time, faculty leaders will receive additional information about the project.  
2. Take advantage of this time before the semester starts to ask additional questions to develop a project timeline, frequency of team meetings with students and State Department staff, further define the scope of the project and final deliverable(s). It is recommended that faculty schedule the team meetings in advance to avoid conflicts once the semester starts. Plan to meet at least two or three times as a team.
3. Develop expectations for student roles, semester timeline, final deliverable(s) and mechanisms for feedback and edits with students and State Department officials.

Faculty leaders should be prepared to:

• Coordinate team meetings with State Department officials
• Solicit initial feedback from State Department officials early on
• Build in regular meetings or check-ins with students
• Factor in adequate time for review and feedback before submitting the final deliverable to the Department of State
• Be flexible and adaptable

Application tips:

• Project descriptions are limited to 200 words, so make every word count.
• Department of State reviewers will only receive the 200-word description and the name of the faculty mentor. The description should include how the project will be conducted. Explain the proposed approach(es) and how you (the faculty mentor) will be involved.

Additional information about Diplomacy Lab.

Contact information

Global Education 

Sharmila Udyavar
Associate Director for Global Education
sharmila_udyavar@unc.edu  

Emmy Grace
Program Manager for Global Education
emmy.grace@unc.edu  

Diplomacy Initiative Faculty Fellow 

Bob Jenkins
Teaching Professor Political Science
rjenkins@email.unc.edu