IBM Champions

Everyone starts somewhere.

The IBM Contributor level is designed for people who are early in their advocacy journey—not necessarily early in their careers. Or, as recognition of the start of the annual advocacy journey for those who are returning, consistent advocates.

This badge recognizes both that all advocacy is worth celebrating and recognizing, and that advocacy grows over time, as confidence, clarity, and opportunity develop. Contributors come from many backgrounds and experience levels, but they share a common trait: a willingness to participate, learn, and support the IBM technology ecosystem in authentic ways.

Common Ways Contributors Get Started

While every journey is different, for example, many Contributors begin in one of these ways:

1. The Curious Explorer
   Learning IBM technologies or advocacy through discovery—sharing early lessons, asking questions, and learning out loud. They may be attending one or two user group meetings a year, possibly sharing their experience from the events, and reposting content about their preferred IBM product.

2. The Time‑Constrained Professional
   Experienced practitioners who value advocacy, but engage when time allows—through a thoughtful post, community interaction, product review, or user group participation.

3. The Quiet Connector
   Supporters who contribute behind the scenes by participating in communities, answering questions, and helping conversations move forward without seeking visibility.

None of these paths is better than another. They are simply different entry points into advocacy.

Core Advocacy Activities (Contributor Level)

To be recognized as an IBM Contributor, participants complete a minimum of three eligible advocacy activities, often drawn from core activities, although all activity types apply.

Core activities are foundational ways to participate and may include the following examples:

• Community participation and discussion

• Social advocacy that may provide context or learning

• Event participation (user groups, meetups, webinars)

• Product reviews

These activities help contributors build confidence, find their voice, and establish consistency. Please visit our article Understanding Activities for more information and descriptions about activities.

Growing Toward Advocate

Progression from Contributor to Advocate isn’t about doing more for the sake of volume—it’s about becoming more intentional.

Contributors typically begin moving toward Advocate when they start to:

• Show up more consistently over time

• Add insight, context, or personal experience to contributions

• Share original perspective, not just reactions

• Take on extended activities, such as creating original and extensive content, speaking, mentoring, or helping to lead communities

• Take ownership of how their advocacy helps others learn or succeed

In practice, this is a shift from participation to purposeful contribution.

A Foundation, Not a Finish Line

The IBM Contributor badge is a starting point, not a destination. Every Advocate, Influencer, and Champion once began here—participating, learning, and experimenting. And actually, begins here again every year - both to start the annual journey and as a reminder that experimentation, curiosity, and new ways of acting are valued along with consistent advocacy behaviors.

If you’re contributing in ways that feel authentic, growing your confidence, and staying open to what’s next, you’re already on the right path. 

Get Started or Keep Going

New to the Rising Champions Program?
Apply using the Candidate Application Form (Starting in 2026, this form is for new applicants only).

Important note on IBM Z and LinuxONE advocacy: If your activity is primarily related to IBM Z and LinuxONE, you may want to begin with the IBM Z and LinuxONE Advocacy Hub. Please note that activities used for earning the IBM Z and LinuxONE community badges will not be double-counted for badges in the IBM Rising Champions Advocacy program; however, if you are evaluated for IBM Champion status, the selection committee may review all advocacy activity and consider any badges earned across each program.

Current or past participants (including Champions)?

Use your IBM Champion Program ID to report advocacy via the Activity Reporting Form.
Please do not submit multiple applications if you already exist in the system.

Learn more about the other levels: Advocate and Influencer.

As always, thank you for showing up in whatever ways you can, wherever you are on the journey.

As always, the program reserves the right to update categories and badge/program definitions.