Diplomacy Lab operates on a semester schedule and runs two project bidding cycles per year. Exact dates vary but an approximate timeline is provided below.
| Program Schedule | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| New Project Proposal Submission (Department of State) | January / February | August |
| Project Menu Circulated (Academic Partners) | Early March | Early September |
| Round 1 Bids Submitted (Academic Partners) | Late March | Late September |
| Project Selections Confirmed / Faculty and DOS POCs Connected | April | October |
| Round 2 Bids Submitted (Academic Partners) | April – August | October – December |