Tips for Writing Winning Award Nominations

The following tips have been prepared by the ISU Awards Committee to help you write better awards applications. The committee requests that you consider these suggestions as you prepare applications to ensure that your award nomination is not disqualified.

  • Any extension employee may submit nominations. There is no limit to the number of nominations that may be submitted (except Association sponsored awards.
  • Within the Extension system are people who work directly with clients, those who work with systems, and those whose clients are other staff members. Each group is vital to delivery of the extension mission and all should be recognized in the awards process. Team awards should include all persons who made a significant contribution to the effort. Include support staff (from communications, continuing education, human resources, and other units), secretarial and paraprofessional staff, volunteers and nonextension individuals, if applicable.
  • Follow the limitations given on the application forms. The entry fields are locked to limit the length of material that can be entered and the typefaces used. These limitations are designed to simplify the evaluation efforts of your extension awards committee. Decisions are made on quality, not quantity!
  • Past award winner nominations have listed the criteria in their application and will be favorably viewed by the Awards Committee.
  • Additional materials submitted in support of the nomination will not be considered.
  • Include impact data and examples documenting the benefits to clients.
  • Make sure the application fits the award category.
  • Clearly identify the title and category of the award nomination on the nomination form.
  • Check the eligibility of the candidate before submitting the application for awards with length of service considerations.
  • If a nomination is not selected for an award, it can be updated and resubmitted the following year.
  • An application may be viewed as a stronger testimonial if it is prepared by peers rather than self nomination.
  • Applications received after the deadline will be disqualified.
  • Send completed nomination forms by 5:00 p.m. February 23, 2009, as e-mail attachments to the awards committee at isueawards@iastate.edu.
  • Faxes are NOT acceptable. Pay attention to length limitations. Place the name of the award in the subject line of the e-mail (example: New Professional). If the person who e-mails the nomination does not receive acknowledgement by March 4th, please contact the awards committee at isueawards@iastate.edu.

Good Luck and thanks!

ISU Extension Homepage Awards Homepage

Please send comments and questions to Daniel Ossian: (dnossian@iastate.edu)
Last update: November 26, 2008 .