Institute for Government Innovation Launches 17th Annual Awards

The Institute for Government Innovations has announced it is accepting applications for the 17th Annual Innovations in American Government Awards, ultimately to identify outstanding examples of creative problem solving in the public sector.

Innovations in American Government encompasses all levels of American government, focusing on domestic programs. Innovations that arise within defense and international agencies are eligible if they have significant domestic policy content, such as job training, base conversion, procurement reform, energy conservation or environmental protection. Weapons systems will not be considered.

The awards cycle consists of four rounds, which will result in 15 finalists. Five winners will be selected in May 2004 to receive $100,000 each.

All units of government in the U.S. – federal, state, local, tribal and territorial – are eligible for recognition and awards under the following guidelines:

• Programs must be administered under the authority of one or more governmental entities.
• Program must receive at least half of their funding from one or more governmental entities.
• Program must have been implemented before January 1 of the previous awards cycle.
• Programs must be currently in operation. And,
• Applications must be submitted by the governmental entity responsible for the innovation; nonprofit, private sector and union initiatives are eligible only with significant governmental involvement and oversight.

Paper applications are due by May 30, 2003, but applicants also may submit online applications, which are due by June 6, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/content.cfm?activeSection=8&activeSubSection=13&flashInstalled=1