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Award Programs

2018 ACE Critique & Awards Program Categories and Classes for Entries

General Instructions

NEW this year: all entries must be submitted online through Submittable.

For each entry, download your entry form, save it to your desktop, and fill it out completely. In a separate document (2 pages, maximum), write your supporting information, including:

  • Purpose (goals, objectives, need).
  • Audience (type and size of target audience).
  • Marketing/promotion (describe important elements).
  • Role of each entrant for the project.
  • Extent to which project met goals and objectives (if that information is available).
  • Other information (production costs, special circumstances faced during production and any other details the judge should consider while evaluating your entry).

Also, carefully read the criteria for the class you are entering, because some classes require additional information. The Diversity Category this year features an A and B for each class. Please read each carefully before submitting your entry.

When your documents are complete, upload them along with your actual entry into the Submittable online entry system and pay the entry fee.

Time to get your entries ready for the ACE Critique & Awards Program!

The ACE Critique & Awards Program opens January 1 and runs through Friday, February 9, 2018.

ACE President-elect Elizabeth Gregory North and ACE Executive Director Holly Young invite you to submit your best projects to this annual program, which last year drew more than 300 submissions!

The C&A program recognizes individuals and teams for excellence in communication and technology skills. Awards will be presented at our August conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

New this year! All entries must be submitted electronically, either as a digital file or as a link to a website or file-sharing service. No physical or hard-copy entries will be accepted.

In addition, class descriptions and instructions for writing up your entry have been revised for simplicity and clarity. And podcasts have been added to Class 28—Electronic Media, Audio, Programs, podcasts, and spots. The Diversity category, with the help of the Diversity Learning Community, has expanded to more clearly define these important classes. You will find both a class A and B within this category, one for diverse audiences and one for targeted audiences. We urge you to read these new categories carefully and select the appropriate one for your entry.

Please review this list of classes with low entries in 2016 and 2017. Give these classes careful consideration when developing your entries.

As a reminder, entries must meet these criteria:

  • Produced for an organization in the public sector.
  • Produced or received by the intended audience between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017.
  • The entrant must be a principal contributor of the entry.
  • ACE members and nonmembers may enter.
  • ACE members must pay their 2018 dues to enter. A team can be all ACE members, mixed with members and nonmembers, or all nonmembers.

Carefully review the following entry fees and payment methods.

  • $40 for each ACE member individual entry.
  • $130 for each non-ACE member individual entry.
  • $65 per entry for teams with half or more ACE members. Please list ACE members first; non-ACE members last.
  • $170 per entry for teams with fewer than half ACE members.

The preferred method of payment is online via credit card as you submit your entry in Submittable.

The lead entrant is responsible for listing all teammates on the entry form. ACE cannot add teammates to entries after they have been submitted without the consent of the lead entrant and/or the individual or institution paying for the entry.

Please remember to name your files using this format: YourLastName_EntryTitle_ClassNumber_Document. For example:

  • Young_ExtensionCelebration_Class20_entryform.pdf
  • North_ExtensionatWork_Class15_info.docx
  • Edlund_ExtensionNews_Class6_audio.wav
Visit the Critique & Awards page to learn more complete details. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email ACE Executive Director Holly Young  or ACE President-elect Elizabeth Gregory North.

ACE recognizes professional work and service to ACE with a number of prestigious awards.

2017 ACE awards program and winners
2017 ACE gold award winners

2016 ACE awards program and winners
2015 ACE awards program and winners

The Critique and Awards Program is an annual event geared toward providing members with professional critiques of their work and recognizing those who have done an outstanding job.

Class Descriptions:

Other ACE awards include:

  • Award of Excellence – recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in each Learning Community area as well as leadership and involvement in ACE

  • Professional Award – the highest recognition given by ACE to one of its members to recognize excellence and professionalism

  • Pioneer Awards – honor members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and technical skills and make significant contributions to ACE during their early careers (first 10 years of ACE membership)

  • Reuben Brigham Award – recognizes an individual outside of ACE for his or her contribution to communication or technology in agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences

  • Retiree Award of Excellence – recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, service, and involvement with ACE retirees and life members or within the larger organization

  • Service Award – presented by the ACE board to a member who has made major contributions to the organization through volunteer efforts and leadership

Research Learning Community – Call for Research Proposals
Don't forget to submit your research papers! Please read and follow instructions carefully.

Research Learning Community – Call for Theses & Dissertations



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