INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Public-Sector Excellence Honored with Monetary Awards

Cambridge, MA-Applications are now being accepted for the 1999 Innovations in American Government awards competition. The Innovations Program recognizes effective and creative examples of government at its best.

All units of government--federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial--within the United States of America are eligible for recognition and awards. Applications ranging from policy initiatives to managerial improvements are welcome. Innovations that arise within defense and international agencies are eligible, if they have significant domestic policy content. Programs must have been operational prior to January 1998.

In 1999, The Ford Foundation will award $100,000 grants to 10 government programs and $20,000 grants to an additional 10 programs, for a total of $1.2 million. The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University administers the competition in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.

Applications for the 1999 Innovations in American Government awards competition must be received by 500 P.M., Friday, January 8, 1999. To receive an application, visit our homepage at http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/innovations/99app.htm or call the Innovations Program at 1-800-722-0074.

1998 Finalists The twenty-five 1998 finalist programs--covering such diverse issues as education, performance measurement, crime, transportation, environment and health care--each received a $20,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. Seven federal programs are among the finalists. The National Selection Committee will choose ten $100,000 awards winners on October 22, 1998 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.