[page_title]
Below are common questions for the Public Affairs Innovation Awards. If you have additional questions, contact:
Nick DeSarno
Manager, Digital and Communications Practice
[email protected] | 202.787.5971
What is the nomination deadline?
The deadline for all awards have been extended to 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, December 1.
What are the criteria on which an application will be judged?
A hand-picked committee of public affairs community leaders will select this year’s innovators. When reviewing applications, committee members will use the following criteria:
- Is the strategy adaptable to other organizations?
- Was the innovation a unique solution to a problem faced by the organization or a unique fit to the organization’s culture?
- Does the innovation demonstrate that it’s not just an innovation for the organization but the industry as a whole?
- Could this strategy help other programs overcome their own challenges?
- Did the innovation have an impact and, if so, was it measured?
The committee will consider the responses to the nomination questions, as well as any supporting documentation provided, in their decision-making.
What is the time period during which nominated activities must occur?
Many initiatives are multi-year projects. For consideration in the Public Affairs Innovation Awards, the significant portion of activity related to this initiative should have occurred in 2017.
Can I see the questions before I fill out the nomination form?
A list of the questions asked in the nomination form is available here. We strongly suggest that you use the the online form, available here, to submit your nomination. However, you may also submit a document that addresses every question in this list of questions to [email protected] should that be your preference.
What types of supporting materials are encouraged?
The awards committee reviews all submitted materials in conjunction with the nomination form. Supporting materials that address the five judging criteria questions are strongly encouraged. Suggested materials could include, but are not limited to, a demonstration of measurement/impact; hyperlinks or flash drives with relevant websites, videos, event photos, sample communications and social media screenshots or other relevant materials such as manuals, toolkits, etc. All materials must be received by the nomination deadline in order to be considered.
Can I submit materials electronically?
Yes. In addition to submitting a nomination form on our website, we encourage you to submit supporting materials electronically to [email protected] or via Hightail, where you can you upload your files. Please make sure all files are clearly named with the nominee organization.
Should a file be too large for email or only available in hard copy, you please mail your materials to:
Awards/Public Affairs Council
2121 K St. N.W.
Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20037
Attn: Nick DeSarno
Materials can be submitted in hard copy or via flash drive. Every effort is made to acknowledge receipt of all nominations, and applicants are welcome to confirm receipt of delivered materials at any time should they not hear from a representative of the Council.
Who is eligible to receive an award? Is there a fee?
Any organization that engages in grassroots, advocacy or PAC activities are eligible for the various awards. All nominations are assessed on their degree of innovation, how well they fit within the designated category and their potential impact on the public affairs community. There is no fee to submit an application, and you do not need to be a Public Affairs Council member to be eligible.
Can I nominate my own program?
Yes, individuals may nominate their own program for consideration.
Can I submit my organization for consideration in multiple categories, or submit multiple innovations in the same category?
No, you cannot submit your innovation for consideration in multiple categories via the same nomination form. Please select which one category best fits your nomination, and our judges will have the ability to move that nomination to another category if they see fit or see it applying across multiple categories. Should you have several initiatives you would like to submit for consideration, please submit a separate nomination form for each innovation.