Ash Institute Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation Harvards Kennedy School of Government Harvard University

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Innovations

The Innovations in American Government Program is a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. Through its annual awards competition, the Program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and that it deserves greater public trust. By highlighting exemplary models of governments’ innovative performance, the Program serves as a catalyst for continued progress in addressing the nation’s most pressing public concerns.

Innovations News
Press Releases
Press Coverage
2009 Innovations Competition

Innovations Awards Application
Award Cycle

The 2009 call for applications is now closed; the application process for the 2010 Innovations in American Government Awards will open in January 2010. More information on the Innovations in American Government Awards program>>


National Selection Committee

Each year, the members of the Innovations National Selection Committee meet to select the winners of the Innovations Awards. Learn more about the Committee's current members.

 
 

National Selection Committee

David Gergen, Chairman National Selection Committee


Executive Session

From 2008 to 2010, the Ash Institute at Harvard Kennedy School is convening the Executive Session on Transforming Cities through Civic Entrepreneurship. With support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and established in conjunction with New Profit Inc, the Executive Session seeks to change the environment in which communities solve their social problems. Learn more»


Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation

In 2007, the Ash Institute celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Innovations in American Government Awards Program. This milestone is an opportune time to revisit the impact of and lessons learned from government innovations worldwide, as well as to identify areas for new research in the field of government innovation. The Ash Institute is executing a constellation of activities surrounding the 20th Award Year, commenced at the awarding of the 20th Year of Innovations Award Winners in the fall of 2007, and culminating in an international conference where that will bring together finalists and winners of the Innovations in American Government Awards from the past 20 years and their counterparts from across the world.


Innovations Publications

The Innovations in American Government Awards Program, throughout its history, has generated a great deal of research based on winning and finalist programs and on the study of innovation. Below are the different types of research related to Innovations which others will find useful in their own work. The links below offer more information on Harvard Kennedy School case studies, books on government innovation, Ash Institute publications, as well as outside resources, some of which are produced by winners of the Innovations Award.


Innovations Database

Since 1986, the Innovations in American Government Awards Program has recognized over 400 innovative programs and awarded a total of nearly $20 million in grants. Of these programs, 187 have been named winners and received $100,000 grants.

These programs represent the finest initiatives undertaken by American government during the last 20 years. Visit the Government Innovators Network to learn more about these creative government initiatives.