The Foundation’s Awards Program began in 2013 with the presentation of the first Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award at the 25th Anniversary of the Baldrige Quest for Excellence Conference®. Since the Program’s inception, three additional award categories have been established: the E. David Spong Lifetime Achievement Award, the Baldrige Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence, which recognize leadership excellence within each of the Baldrige Sectors: Business (Manufacturing, Service, Small Business) Nonprofit, Government, Healthcare, Education, Cybersecurity, and Community, and the Dr. Curt Reimann Baldrige Scholarship.

The nomination window for 2026 ends on September 30, 2025. If you know someone deserving of recognition, please complete the nomination application contained in the Awards Program Submission and Nomination Packet below. 

The Foundation Board of Directors will recognize the 2026 recipients at the 37th Quest for Excellence(R) Conference, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 21202, on March 31, 2026.

Download Award Nomination Packet Here.