ACM Policy Award

The ACM Policy Award honors the contributions of an individual, or a small group, who has had a significant impact on the formation or execution of public policy related to computing. It may recognize establishment of an innovative educational or advisory program in policy, the development of technology policy organizations or resources, or other notable policy activities affecting the computing community and/or the general public. The biennial award is presented at the June ACM Awards Banquet in even-numbered years. It is accompanied by a prize of $10,000 plus travel expenses to the banquet.

Deadline

December 15, 2026 - End of Day, Anywhere on Earth (AoE), UTC -12

Selection Criteria

The achievement cited must represent a major policy innovation or a significant ongoing engagement that has had broad influence on computing policy.

Nominations will be reviewed for the quality and impact of the individual’s personal contributions. If a small group is being nominated, the information must spell out why these particular individuals should be recognized.

Submissions

Nominations for the ACM Policy Award should be submitted using the online nomination form. Guidelines for nominators and endorsers can be found here. Each nomination involves several components:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address of the nominator (person making the nomination). The most appropriate person to submit a nomination would be a recognized member of the community who is not from the same organization as the candidate and who can address the candidate's impact on the broader community.
• Name, address, and email address of the candidate (person being nominated). It is ACM's policy not to tell candidates who has nominated or endorsed them.
• Nominators will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate that violates ACM's Code of Ethics or Core Values.
• Suggested citation if the candidate is selected. This should be a concise statement (maximum of 25 words) describing the policy achievement and the contribution of the individual(s) being recognized. Note that the final wording for awardees will be at the discretion of the Award Committee.
• Nomination statement (500-1000 words in length) addressing why the candidate should receive this award. This should spell out what policy achievements are being recognized, what the implications are for the computing community and general public, and why this particular individual/group merits recognition for the contributions.
• Copy of the candidate's CV, listing publications, patents, honors, service contributions, etc.
• Supporting letters from at least 2, and not more than 4, endorsers. Endorsers should be chosen to represent a range of perspectives and institutions and provide additional insights or evidence of the candidate's impact. Each letter must include the name, address, and telephone number of the endorser, and should focus on the accomplishments to which that endorser can attest and place in context. The nominator should collect the letters and bundle them for submission. Please Note: Nominators will need to provide a valid email for each endorser. Endorsers will receive an email from [email protected] containing a secure link to the Code of Ethics attestation form, and will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate/s that violates ACM's Code of Ethics or Core Values.

For questions on the above, please contact us at [email protected], or Jade Morris, ACM Awards Committee Liaison.  ACM's conflict-of-interest guidelines apply to all award nominations.