A nomination for the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education may be submitted on behalf of any person who meets the nomination criteria. The Prize recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education and whose accomplishments are making a difference.
Honorees of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education should exemplify:
Transformational leadership in their organization or institution, and beyond
Innovative thinking and practices within their field
Impact on the lives of others and the education community at large
Respect earned from peers and a reputation of inspiration to others
Nomination Criteria
The McGraw Prize recognizes individuals in three categories: Pre-K–12 Education, Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning. Explore nomination criteria below.
Pre-K–12 Education
- Leadership- Explain how the nominee provides innovative leadership in their organization and beyond.
- Innovation- Provide examples of the nominee’s innovative thinking and practices within Pre-K–12 Education.
- Impact- Describe the significant impact the nominee has made on the field of Pre-K–12 Education.
- Reputation- Provide evidence that the nominee has earned the respect of their colleagues and peers and continues to inspire others.
Higher Education
- Leadership- Explain how the nominee provides innovative leadership in their organization and beyond.
- Innovation- Provide examples of the nominee’s innovative thinking and practices within Higher Education.
- Impact- Describe the significant impact the nominee has made on the field of Higher Education.
- Reputation- Provide evidence that the nominee has earned the respect of their colleagues and peers and continues to inspire others.
Lifelong Learning
- Leadership- Explain how the nominee provides innovative leadership in their organization and supports the development of lifelong learners.
- Innovation- Provide examples of the nominee’s innovative thinking and practices in areas such as durable skills development or workforce learning.
- Impact- Describe the significant impact the nominee has made on the opportunities for lifelong learning.
- Reputation- Provide evidence that the nominee has earned the respect of their colleagues and peers and continues to inspire others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nominations & Eligibility
What are the categories for which nominations are being accepted?
There are three categories for the Prize: Pre-K–12 Education, Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning.
Who can submit a nomination?
Nominators must be at least 18 years old at the time they cast a nomination. There are no other requirements.
Who is ineligible to be nominated for the Prize?
Faculty, lecturers, administrators, staff, or other employees of the University of Pennsylvania and McGraw-Hill Education are ineligible to be awarded the Prize and should not be nominated. Additionally, Final Jurors who serve on the current Prize year’s selection committee are ineligible for consideration as a nominee.
Is there an entry fee to nominate someone for the Prize?
There is no entry fee. It is free to submit a nomination.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, self-nomination is permitted.
Can I submit an international nomination for any of the Prize categories?
Yes, all categories are open to international nominations.
Can I submit multiple nominations?
Yes, you may nominate multiple individuals for the Prize, but you must submit a separate nomination for each nominee.
Can I nominate a single individual in multiple categories?
No, an individual may only be nominated for one category. Nominate individuals in the category that best suits their work. The selection team also reserves the right to move the nominee into a different category, should it be to the advantage of the nominee.
Can I nominate someone who was nominated in prior years?
Yes, past nominees are eligible for resubmission.
Can I nominate someone anonymously?
All nominations are submitted anonymously, as we do not disclose who the Nominator is when we notify the nominee of their nomination. It is your choice to let the nominee know you have nominated them.
How long should my responses be for the open-ended prompts?
Responses to each of the prompts should be a minimum of 200 characters and a maximum of 1000 characters.
Can I submit supplemental materials (i.e., CV or resume) for consideration?
Yes, please include any additional information about the nominee under the final prompt on the form, “Is there anything else about the nominee that you would like the jurors to know?” Note that doing so, however, will not necessarily provide any advantage during the selection process.
Can we save our nomination prior to submitting and complete it at a later time?
No, the nomination must be completed in one sitting. We recommend writing all responses in a separate document, then copying them into the nomination form when you are ready to submit.
Is it possible to edit the nomination after it has been submitted?
No, it is not possible to alter a nomination that has been submitted, but you can email info@mcgrawprize.com if you need to correct or supply any additional information. No changes or updates to a nomination will be accepted after the deadline on March 1, 2024.
Selection & Honorees
What do the Honorees of the Prize receive?
The Honorees will each receive an award of $50,000 and a Prize sculpture.
When will the Honorees be announced?
The McGraw Prize Honorees will be announced in the Fall, and they will be recognized during the McGraw Prize Celebration presented by Penn GSE. Join our mailing list to receive details as they become available.
Other questions?
Email info@mcgrawprize.com.
Selection Process
McGraw Prize winners are chosen over three rounds of judging, including review by independent researchers and Penn GSE faculty, staff, students, and alumni with expertise in education. A distinguished jury of peers reviews a shortlist of finalists and recommends one Honoree in each category to win the McGraw Prize in Education.
