2026 Award Cycle Timeline

The timeline for the 2026 Baldrige Award cycle is as follows:

DateMilestone
March 192026 Award Cycle Announced; Intent to Apply Window Opens
April 15, 8:00pm ETIntent to Apply Closes; Nonrefundable Deposits Due
April 30, 8:00pm ETPathway 3 Alternative Eligibility Pre-Screen Questions Due
May 1, 8:00pm ETExaminer Applications Due (more information forthcoming)
May 30 2026 Baldrige Board of Examiners Selected
July 1, 8:00pm ETFull Applications Due (Submitted through the Applicant Portal)
June 15-July 15 Examiner Training
July 15Examiner Teams Built and Launched
July 15-August 31Preliminary Evaluation and Site Visit Preparation
September/OctoberSite Visits
October/NovemberJudges Deliberation, Recommended Recipients Sent to the Department of Commerce

Related Links:

The Alliance for Performance Excellence is a national network of Baldrige-based performance excellence organizations dedicated to helping businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies improve results through proven performance excellence practices.

As a leading resource for organizations pursuing performance excellence, The Alliance supports the adoption of the Baldrige Excellence Framework, provides training and assessment programs, and connects organizations with experienced evaluators, coaches, and performance improvement professionals across the United States.

Key Areas of Expertise:

  • Baldrige Excellence Framework implementation
  • Organizational performance improvement
  • Leadership development
  • Strategic planning
  • Operational excellence
  • Workforce engagement
  • Customer-focused performance management
  • Organizational assessment and benchmarking

The Alliance for Performance Excellence works with organizations seeking sustainable improvement, measurable results, and long-term organizational excellence through the principles embodied in the Baldrige framework.