ASPA's annual awards program recognizes leaders across public administration practice and scholarship each year.

While each award category is different and requires materials according to the profile of the category, the following are general guidelines for materials nominees needed to prepare:
  • Biographical details for the nominee
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Description of accomplishments that confirms the nominee's eligibility for the award and/or why they are deserving of the award
  • Nominee's CV or resume
  • References
  • Connection to ASPA and service to the organization, if appropriate

Those applying or nominating for scholarships needed to describe the nominee's career goals, value of public service, involvement in ASPA and other awards received.

Historical details about each award can be viewed by scrolling down this page and clicking on associated links. 

The Center for Accountability and Performance (CAP) entertains a separate call for nominations for its awards. Please visit their website for more details.

Please contact us for further details.



ASPA Chapters and Sections also administer awards programs for their geographic region or subject area. Click here to find out more about Section awards, or click here to access the list of Chapters to contact them for more details. 


Joint Awards

ASPA collaborates with NAPA and NASPAA to provide up to four awards each year. Click on the links below to view the history of the award.

The National Public Service Awards 

Rosslyn Kleeman Keeper of the Flame Award 

NASPAA/ASPA Distinguished Researcher Award 

Charles H. Levine Memorial Award for Excellence in Public Administration 


Chapter and Section Award

Click on the links below to view details about the Yearwood award, available for Chapters and Sections.

Note: ASPA will be accepting nominations for these awards in December 2025 as a separate call for nominations. Look for more information later this fall. 

Patricia Yearwood Chapter/Section Awards



ASPA Student Awards or Scholarships

Students of all kinds are welcome to apply for an ASPA scholarship. Click on the links below to learn about each option.

Walter W. Mode Scholarship

Wallace O. Keene ASPA Conference Scholarships


ASPA Awards

ASPA awards several awards each year. Click on the links below to view the history of each award.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Exemplary Practice Award 

Nesta M. Gallas Award for Exemplary Professionalism in Public Service 

John W. Gaston, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service Management 

Allan Rosenbaum International Public Administration Award 

Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award 

Paul A. Volcker Public Integrity Award 

Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Service

Donald C. Stone Service to ASPA Award

Paul Van Riper Award for Excellence and Service 

Dwight Waldo Award


CAP Awards

ASPA's Center for Accountability and Performance (CAP) presents four award categories each year. Click on the links below to view more details. Please note that the CAP awards are determined through an independent nominating process. Please visit their website for more details.

Organizational Leadership Awards

Emerging Leaders Award of Excellence

The Harry Hatry Distinguished Performance Management Practice Award

The Joseph Wholey Distinguished Scholarship Award 


PAR Awards

ASPA's premier journal, Public Administration Review, presents four categories of awards each year. Click on the links below to learn more about each. Contact PAR editors for details about how to apply or nominate a peer for each award.

Laverne Burchfield Award

Louis Brownlow Award

Chester Newland Award

William E. Mosher and Frederick C. Mosher Award