INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Applications should be in English. We recommend the application be reviewed by an editor for clarity.
2. There is an application fee for each application submitted.The fee will be collected as the last step of the online application process. Payment is made by credit card.
   • Entry Fee: $225 USD (subject to change)
   • Each entry may be submitted in only one category.
   • Organizations may submit multiple entries. There is no limit. Each entry has a separate entry fee.
3. Do NOT include any references to your organization’s name or talent development staff in your application. You will be asked for your company name when you create your account. Please note it where asked but do not include it in any other answers.
   • The review of your entry will be anonymous and judges should not see the name of your organization/company or staff anywhere in the entry. All entries are reviewed by a panel of volunteer subject matter experts with extensive talent development experience. 
   • Do not reference previous awards you've won or other information that could be used to identify the organization name.
   • If the practice name includes the company name, rename the practice to something generic. For example “The ATD Learning System” would be called “The COMPANY Learning System” on the application.
   • Entries may be disqualified if they contain company-identifying information in their application. 
      
4. Please note word limits where indicated. These are coded into the text boxes where you will type your answers and cannot be changed.
    
5. You may designate parts of your answer NFP (not for publication) if you are including information that should not be shared publicly if your practice is chosen as a winner. To do this put brackets around the information you would not want to share.
    
6. Make sure any metrics you share are clearly and strongly substantiated in your answer.
    
7. Some questions will provide you the opportunity to upload supporting graphics. Please ensure your company name is not in any uploaded documents, including the file name. Uploads are limited to 1-2 pages in length. 

Should your organization be selected as a winner, you will be required to complete a release form, such as the below (subject to change). We require a release form to be signed by all winning organizations in order to recognize the winners across various publications and platforms like the ATD website, press releases, awards ceremony materials, TD magazine, annual report, and so forth. We collect winner logos simply for the purpose of winner recognition and to be used on slides during the ceremony and annual conference general session videos highlighting the winners. 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:

If your organization is selected to be a 2025 Excellence in Practice Award winner (application window takes place in 2024), a representative from your organization will be required to sign a release form granting the Association for Talent Development (ATD) certain rights, such as:

-  I grant to ATD a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license and release to exercise all rights in and to the information submitted to ATD by my organization in the Excellence in Practice application. I understand and agree that the application or information from it will be stored through electronic or other means, and that it will be disseminated and/or disclosed during the review process only to ATD and individuals designated by ATD. The review panel will receive the information provided in the following sections: Practice Category, Background Information, and Documentation of the Practice. The review team will not have access to the organization’s name. 

-  Should my organization be named an ATD Excellence in Practice Award winner, I grant to ATD the rights to edit, summarize, publish, reproduce, reprint, distribute, and otherwise make use of the information provided in the application. I understand that winning organizations will have the opportunity to review and approve ATD-produced materials regarding the application for factual accuracy prior to publication.

-  I also grant to ATD a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use my organization’s name and logo for the sole purpose of publishing such name and logo as part of ATD’s announcement(s) of the winning organizations.

-  In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the ATD Excellence in Practice Awards process, I forever release, discharge, indemnify, defend and hold harmless ATD from and against any and all liabilities, losses, costs, damages, claims, liens, judgments, penalties, fines, attorneys’ fees, insurance policy deductibles, court costs, and all other expenses arising out of the awards process and any activities related thereto or otherwise contemplated in this application.

-  I represent and warrant that the information submitted to ATD in the application does not violate the rights of anyone else, is accurate, and that I have the authority to bind my organization to this license and release.