Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA), the Champions of Career Enhancement for Eligible Family Members (CCE-EFM) Award, and the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award.

The nomination deadline for all three awards is May 31, 2025. Nominations must be submitted via the SOSA/CCE-EFM/Tragen 2025 Awards Google Form

Questions? For SOSA and CCE-EFM-related questions, please contact us. For more on the Tragen Award, visit DACOR's website.

Who is Eligible? Direct-hire employees and family members are eligible for the following three awards:  the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA), the Champions of Career Enhancement for Eligible Family Members (CCE-EFM) Award, and the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award. 

The SOSA and CCE-EFM Awards are administered by the AAFSW in a unique partnership with the Department of State and are considered equivalent to Departmental Awards. AAFSW is a non-profit community and employee service organization for Foreign Affairs spouses, partners and employees. The awards are supported by the Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Global Community Liaison Office (GTM/GCLO). The SOSA is considered to be the Department’s premiere award for overseas community service and volunteerism by the Foreign Service community that goes above and beyond the call of duty. 

The CCE-EFM Award is focused on the enhancement of EFM career opportunities. 

The Tragen Award honors a spouse, family member, or member of household (MOH), who has effectively advocated and promoted rights, programs, services, and benefits for FS families.  The Tragen Award is sponsored and administered by DACOR, an organization of foreign affairs professionals.  The three awards will be presented at the annual AAFSW awards ceremony in November 2025.