Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award medal

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

Administered by the Alliance for Performance Excellence on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

2026 Eligibility & Intent

How organizations and communities qualify to apply for the Baldrige Award.

Pathway 1

Receiving the Baldrige-based Top Tier Award of an Alliance Member Program within the last four years (2022–2025).

Pathway 2

Receiving a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) site visit within the last two years (2024–2025).

Alternative Pathway 3

Applicants that do not meet either of these pathways may request consideration through an Alternative Evidence of Eligibility process, which requires submitting evidence of high performance that demonstrates sustained performance and improvement.

With the 2026 cycle, potential applicants may qualify to apply through one of two standard eligibility pathways.

Evidence includes submitting a “pre-application” with responses to 18 Organizational/Community Profile questions plus nine Results, which are evaluated to determine eligibility to apply with a full application. After application submission, additional evaluation determines if Pathway 3 applicants have earned a site visit.

All applicants must also satisfy six requirements

The organization (or organizational entity submitting on behalf of a community) has existed for at least three years.
The organization or community is headquartered/based in the U.S.
If selected as a finalist, the organization or community agrees to host a site visit and make available necessary data, information, materials, and personnel.
If selected as a finalist, the organization or community backbone organization agrees to a background check.
If selected as an Award recipient, the organization or community agrees to share nonproprietary best practices to help other organizations and communities and the U.S. economy succeed.
The organization or community backbone organization is not under any current legal or regulatory sanctions that could negatively impact the Baldrige Award brand.

Intent to Apply and payment

To determine eligibility and begin the Award evaluation process, complete the Intent to Apply form by Wednesday, April 15 at 8:00pm ET. A non-refundable deposit is due at the same time, either by check postmarked by April 15, made payable and mailed to:

The Alliance for Performance Excellence
P.O. Box 14051
Parkville, MO 64152-9998

Or submit payment by ACH/EFT electronically (details and secure link on the Intent form).

If your organization or community is determined eligible to apply, full applications and final payments are due by July 1 at 8:00pm ET; applications are submitted via an online portal (available on or around April 15, but applicants can begin compiling responses now).