About the Award

The Excellence Award in Innovation recognizes organizations that have built and sustained a systematic approach to innovation that consistently transforms ideas into meaningful results. These organizations demonstrate a disciplined, repeatable innovation system that enables the development of new or improved products, services, processes, technologies, or capabilities aligned with strategic priorities.

Rather than relying on isolated successes, recipients demonstrate an organizational culture and management system that encourages innovation, evaluates opportunities, allocates resources effectively, and delivers measurable value over time. Their innovation efforts are embedded within the organization’s operations and contribute to enhanced performance, customer value, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

This award recognizes the system that reliably produces innovation. It does not recognize a single breakthrough or successful product.

Who May Be Nominated

Any individual or organization may either self-nominate or be nominated for this award.

Strong Nominees Demonstrate

• A clearly defined innovation process or framework 
• Structured methods for generating, evaluating, and prioritizing ideas 
• Alignment between innovation efforts and organizational strategy 
• Consistent execution of innovation activities across teams or functions 
• Evidence that innovation occurs repeatedly over time, not sporadically 
• Measurable improvements tied to innovation efforts 

Role of Examples

Nomination essay must include at least one innovation example. The example must demonstrate:

• How the idea moved through the system 
• How decisions were made 
• How the system enabled the outcome

Award Limits

• Up to one recipient may be recognized each year
• Award is not guaranteed and may be withheld

Ready to Nominate an Organization

• Learn more about How to Apply and Key Dates. 
• Prepare the required submission information listed below. 
• When ready to nominate a leader, select the "APPLY NOW" button, located at the top.

Submission Requirements

1. Online Award Nomination Form
   Fill out the nomination form in the online application.  
    
2. Business Overview
   Nomination must include a business overview of the organization. 
    
3. Nomination Essay (1,200 word limit) 
   The essay must address your organization’s approach to innovation, including how ideas are generated, evaluated, prioritized, and aligned with organizational strategy. Include one specific example of innovation such as a product, service, or process improvement—and explain how the idea was developed through your innovation system and what measurable or observable results were achieved.
    

Questions and Online Application Help
awards@baldrigefoundation.org | 202.559.9195 | M-F, 9 AM–5 PM (ET)