Current Programs

Foundation Programs

Innovative programs further the Foundation’s mission to sustain a high-quality, diverse Foreign Service and to educate the American people about the importance and impact of diplomacy on their lives.

Program Announcement

Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders

The Foundation is collaborating with Meridian International Center facilitate a program entitled The Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders, an enrichment and training program seeking to expand awareness and access to Foreign Service careers to students from underrepresented communities across the United States. The program will spotlight the vital work of Foreign Service Officers, while also teaching the critical soft skills necessary to succeed in a diplomatic career. Fellows will enhance their understanding of diplomacy and international affairs through site visits, while developing their career development skills through workshops and networking opportunities.

The Fellowship will take place in Washington, DC from Sunday June 23 to Saturday, June 29, 2024 and applications are currently opened.

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Cox-Supported Programs

The Cox Foundation has supported a variety of projects and reports undertaken by the American Academy of Diplomacy, including the January 2021 report “Changing the Risk Paradigm for U.S. Diplomats” and the February 2022 report “Bringing American’s Multilateral Diplomacy into the 21st Century.”

The Cox Foundation has supported a variety of programs and multimedia videos produced by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, including podcasts, diplomacy-based lesson plans, and, as of recently, developing programs to mark the centenary of the U.S. Foreign Service which will take place in 2024.

The Cox Foundation is currently supporting the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide organization in their efforts of launching their Map for Change program, an interactive map that will aid the Foreign Affairs community in learning about volunteer opportunities overseas and the D.C. area.

Program Highlight: Cox Language Awards

Since the early 1990s, the Cox Foundation has funded the Cox Language Awards, which recognize outstanding language instructors at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute.

Program Highlight: Foreign Service-Congressional Communications Project

The Cox Foundation supports initiatives from organizations such as Partnership for a Secure America by contributing to The Department of State-Congress Communication Project (DSCCP). This project aims to foster social and policy-related connections among select staff in Congress and at the Department of State. This project also gives Foreign Service Officers new skills and contacts, contributing to their professional development and enhancing their effectiveness.

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AAD & Meridian International Center Event on State Department Modernization

The Cox Foundation supports programming events for different partners including the Academy of American Diplomacy and Meridian House, who hosted a State Department Modernization discussion focused on the recommendations from the Blueprints for a More Modern US Diplomatic Service report. Speakers included Senators Ben Cardin (D-NJ) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Blueprint contributors Ambassador Grossman and Ambassador Powell.

Program Highlight: DEIA Champions Sponsorship Program

The Cox Foundation supports collaborative programs from organizations such as theBunche Center at Howard University and several State Department offices, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, to develop and implement The DEIA Champions Sponsorship Program. This program aims to provide Foreign Service Officers with the opportunity to advance diversity and inclusion principles  within the Department of State through a series of workshops. This program also gives Foreign Services new knowledge and relationships that are needed for professional advancement.

Collaborations with the Department of State

Direct Support to the Foreign Service

The Cox Foundation provides direct support to the Foreign Service for initiatives proposed by the Department of State.  Recent examples include course development for the Foreign Service Institute and developing a scoring tool to enhance transparency and objectivity in the Foreign Service performance evaluations process.

Additional Cox Programs

Reports & Studies

The Cox Foundation has commissioned a number of studies and reports to analyze various aspects of the Foreign Service and the conduct of diplomacy, from personnel reforms to improving management systems and training.

Reports & Studies
In the Media

The Cox Foundation has supported projects such as Nicholas Kralev’s book “America’s Other Army” as well as podcasts and videos, including the popular series “The General and the Ambassador” and “American Diplomat.”

In the Media
Past Programs

For more examples of past programs of the Cox Foundation, click the link below.

Past Programs