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    Entry Fee and Eligibility

    Prior to 2026, the Awards for Excellence was sponsored by the former Group on Institutional Advancement and is now sponsored by the External Relations Group.

    Awards for Excellence

    The 2027 Awards for Excellence Competition is now open through October 15, 2026. Learn more and submit an entry!

    • Submitted projects and programs must have occurred or been completed between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026 for the 2027 Awards Program.
    • Entries must be sponsored by an individual External Relations Group member who is in good standing.*
      • Work performed by a non-External Relations Group member employed directly by the entering institution (full-time or permanent part-time employee, not a freelancer) must be sponsored by an External Relations Group member in good standing from that institution.
      • The External Relations Group member sponsor confirms that all people involved or associated with the entry have demonstrated standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.**
    • Entries must be the work of AAMC member institution medical school, academic health system, or teaching hospital staff submitting the nomination and should accurately characterize the work and role of outside agencies, consultants, or vendors. Projects done completely by outside agencies or consultants are not eligible.
    • Each award submission requires an entry fee, payable online at the time of entry via credit card: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. You will receive a payment confirmation and receipt via email once confirmed. The AAMC does not accept entry fee payment by check. Entry fees are nonrefundable.
      • Early Bird Entry Fee: $40
        • August 3 - September 5
      • Standard Entry Fee: $50
        • September 6 - October 15
    • The current Awards for Excellence (AFE) Chair and other External Relations Group members from that institution are not eligible to compete in the awards program. This year, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences staff are not eligible. Staff at this institution are eligible to submit in next year’s program.
    • Judges and members of their institutions are not eligible to compete in the categories the judge is reviewing.
    • Judges may review entries submitted by affiliated organizations that operate under separate executive leadership from their own. The AFE Chair will make the final decision about the eligibility of an entry.

    *A member in good standing is an alumni relations, communications, community relations, development, or marketing representative from the External Relations Group who works at an AAMC member institution and whose membership dues are current and paid in full. Contact the External Relations Group at externalrelationsgroup@aamc.org for confirmation of membership or to become a member.
    ** Please see AAMC’s Policy on Honors and Awards for more information.