About the Award

The International Award for Advancing Performance Excellence recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to the global advancement, adoption, and promotion of performance excellence principles. Recipients demonstrate leadership beyond their own organizational boundaries by helping other organizations, industries, sectors, regions, or nations improve their performance, strengthen their management systems, and advance a culture of excellence.

Organizations receiving this award actively share knowledge, best practices, methodologies, research, training, or frameworks that support organizational improvement and performance excellence. Their efforts may include education and workforce development initiatives, capacity-building programs, thought leadership, international partnerships, assessment and recognition programs, research, publications, conferences, or other activities that expand the reach and impact of performance excellence around the world.

Rather than recognizing organizational performance alone, this award honors organizations that serve as catalysts for improvement and help others achieve higher levels of excellence, effectiveness, and long-term success.

This award recognizes active contributions to advancing excellence globally. It is not based solely on international operations.

Who May Be Nominated

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

Strong Nominees Demonstrate

• Active promotion of performance excellence principles beyond their own organization
• Sharing of knowledge, best practices, research, tools, frameworks, or methodologies
• Contributions to education, training, workforce development, or capacity building
• Leadership in advancing excellence through partnerships, networks, conferences, publications, or other collaborative efforts
• Influence across multiple organizations, sectors, regions, or countries
• Evidence that others have adopted, benefited from, or applied the organization's contributions
• Sustained commitment to advancing performance excellence over time

Role of Examples

Nomination essays should include at least one example of:

• External engagement or influence 
• Actions taken 
• Measurable or observable outcomes

Award Availability

• 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 how your organization contributes to advancing performance excellence beyond its own operations, including how knowledge, practices, or systems are shared externally and what organizations, regions, or sectors have been influenced. Include one specific example of external impact and explain where the impact occurred, what actions were taken, and what measurable or observable outcomes resulted.
    

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