The submission window is closed for 2026
entry guidelines & Tips
File Requirements
Entries that do not follow the guidelines, will not be considered.
- File name: StateAbbreviation_Category (ex. KY_Cybersecurity)
- Format: PDF
- Length: 7 pages max
- Structure:
- Cover Page
- list state, agency, category, project title, project dates and contact
- Executive Summary
- will be used in Awards Library
- Project Description*
- ENTRY MUST INCLUDE THE SECTIONS/HEADINGS OF IDEA, IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT
- Cover Page
- Supplemental Info: links may be included, but scores are based on written entry; no attachments
- Partner References: no company/product names in the title; no promotional logos or letterhead
- Readability: no specific rules, but please be mindful of font, size and margins
Project Description & Evaluation Criteria
- The entry must be organized with the headings IDEA, IMPLEMENTATION and IMPACT
- While not required, it is encouraged to use the questions provided to structure each section
- Idea (25%)
- What problem or opportunity does the project address?
- Explain how the project solves a critical business problem, improves business processes, or increases citizen engagement with or access to state government.
- Why does it matter?
- Outline the business rationale for addressing this issue and the change it enables. Include relevant supporting data such as cost, staffing impact, size of the affected population or consequences of not acting.
- What makes it different?
- Describe what makes the project innovative or distinct from similar initiatives.
- What makes it universal?
- Identify elements of the project that are broadly applicable to other states, such as shared mandates or alignment with a State CIO Top Ten Priority.
- What problem or opportunity does the project address?
- Implementation (25%)
- What was the roadmap?
- Describe how this project fits into an enterprise view
- Describe the project management approach
- Outline how the project will be assessed and what successful implementation looks like
- Who was involved?
- From concept to fruition, profile the groups key to the success of the project
- Share how approval, buy-in, awareness and adoption were obtained from these stakeholders and include key pieces of communications/marketing plans
- How did you do it?
- Outline the resources needed, such as financial, human and time
- Give a brief overview of the technical architecture focusing on why it matters more than how it was delivered
- What was the roadmap?
- Impact (50%)
- What did the project make better?
- Tell the story of why the project matters, connecting the results back to the business rationale
- Compare the environment before and after the project was completed
- How do you know?
- Include the data – quantitative and qualitative- to support the story, such as cost savings/avoidance, ROI, usage, transaction times, citizen feedback
- Provide a testimony of either a citizen or business area underscoring the impact
- What now?
- Detail the longer-term plan for the project, including how the project will be maintained
- Tell us why this project is worthy of the initial investment and any ongoing investment
- What did the project make better?
Process
- Entries must be submitted via the online platform by the deadline
- After the entry window closes, entries are reviewed for eligibility, adherence to format guidelines and alignment with award category
- the award contact will receive an email that the entry has been been accepted
- the award contact will be notified of any issues and granted 48 hours to resolve the situation
- entries that remain non-compliant will not be reviewed by judges
- the award contact will be notified of any issues and granted 48 hours to resolve the situation
- the award contact will receive an email that the entry has been been accepted
- Entries are judged by a volunteer panel of NASCIO state and corporate members
- Judges will use the project description (idea, implementation and impact) as the basis of their scores
- NASCIO makes every effort to avoid potential conflicts of interest; judges do not score projects from their own state or in which their company played a role
- In each award category, the 3 highest rated projects will be named as finalists; the highest rated will be named the recipient
- A state can be recognized as an award recipient in no more than two categories a year
- If a state has recipient-level scores in more than 2 categories, the state CIO will be allowed to choose the two categories that receive recipient status, with the others receiving finalist status.
- A state can be recognized as an award recipient in no more than two categories a year
- Scores are presented to the NASCIO Executive Committee for approval
- Award contacts are notified of their entry’s status
- Finalists are announced via press release and all entries are added to the NASCIO Award Library
- Recipients are announced during the Awards & Recognition Dinner at the NASCIO Annual Conference
Tips
- Submit strategically.
Projects may relate to multiple categories – to decide, read descriptions and review past entries in the Awards Library. - Focus on why, not how.
Paint a picture of how government is better because of this project (why undertake it). Technical specifications (how) may be necessary to touch on, but shouldn’t take center stage. - Show. Us. The. Data.
A good story without supportive facts reads more like a fairy tale. Include whatever metrics are meaningful to your project – cost or time savings, increased engagement, improved satisfaction, thwarted threats … - Get creative.
Visuals aids, such as photos, graphs and flowcharts, may be included to support the written description as long as the entry remains within the 7-page limit. - Set the scene.
While the content of the entry is what matters most, your title does set the tone; find a balance of catchy and descriptive.
award categories
Projects and initiatives serve the public by enabling and transforming the business of state government through the optimal use of technology in the areas of: