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    Governor's Awards for Excellence

    The Governor’s Awards for Excellence is a prestigio​us and competitive program that recognizes Commonwealth employees for exemplary job performance  that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation, and outstanding public service. 

    Award Nominations

    The nomination period for recognizing achievements that occurred in 2024 will be open from January 2​ to January 31, 2025.

    Instructions

    Nomination Site (Awards.pa.gov)*​ - Each nomination must include a clear, substantive description of the achievement and can be expanded beyond the nomination by up to five pages of supporting materials.  Please note that you can save your progress on a nomination and finish it later! Your pending nominations will be displayed upon entering the nomination site. Note: you will not be able to view or modify nominations after they have been submitted as complete.

    *VPN or access to a computer at a commonwe​​alth worksite is required.

    *Chrome browser strongly encouraged.

    Can’t access the nomination site? Contact ra-awards4excellence@pa.gov.

    Eligibility

    • Any current, permanent Commonwealth employee can be nominated by another current, permanent Commonwealth employee.
    • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
    • Group nominations may include up to 10 people. 

    Guidelines

    Nominations should be for service, achievements or accomplishments that meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • Must go beyond an individual agency program and have multi-agency impact.
    • Must have significant impact on the general public, or the life, safety, or property of another (others).
    • Must have significantly enhanced the image, prestige, or effectiveness of the Commonwealth.
    • Exemplifies outstanding public service. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    All current, permanent Commonwealth employees are eligible to be nominated. Each nominee must have been a full- or part-time Commonwealth employee and actively performed the duties described in the nomination during the previous calendar year.

    (One or more of the following must be met)

    • The service, achievement, or accomplishment must go beyond an individual agency program and have multi-agency impact.
    • The service, achievement, or accomplishment must have significant impact on the general public.
    • The service, achievement, or accomplishment must have significantly enhanced the image, prestige, or effectiveness of the Commonwealth.
    • The development of commonwealth policy or improved methods or procedures has resulted in significant increased productivity, efficiency, or service to the Commonwealth.

    Nominations should contain a complete description of the program, process, technique, operation, or accomplishment for which the nomination application is based and answer the following as applicable to the category:

    • Description of what has been done and for whom.
    • Description of why the approach or achievement was identified or selected for consideration of an award.
    • Description of how the accomplishment was achieved.
    • If applicable, description of how the approach was funded.
    • Identify the challenges, barriers, or obstacles encountered and how they were overcome.
    • Description of why the program(s) or project(s) is unique or innovative.
    • Description of what benefits resulted from the effort.  (To the extent possible, success stories should be included)
    • Description of any measurable monetary or non-monetary benefits or results, including dollars saved, costs prevented, or revenue generated, that can be used to quantify success.

    No! Employees submitting nominations are now able to save their nominations and finish them later. Pending nominations will be displayed upon entering the nomination site. Note: employees will not be able to view or modify nominations after they have been submitted as complete.

    Complete the Governor’s Awards of Excellence Online Nomination Form.  Attach all supporting documentation that can substantiate the reasons for nomination (e.g., letters of commendation or appreciation, description of work projects, press releases, verification of savings, etc.)

    • A VPN connection or access to a computer at a C​ommonwealth worksite is required to access the online nomination form. 
    • Nominators are strongly encouraged to access the online form using the Chrome web browser. 

    Contact

    If you have questions about the Governor's Awards for Excellence, please contact ra-awards4excellence@pa.gov.