[Society of American Archivists](https://www2.archivists.org)

February 2027 (Nomination submission deadline, projected)

Complimentary registration to the SAA Annual Meeting for recipient(s); certificate of recognition.

Recognizes outstanding creativity and innovation in the archival field, honoring impactful projects or approaches that advance the profession or benefit communities.

--- ## Description The Archival Innovator Award honors an individual archivist, group of archivists, repository, or organization that demonstrates significant current impact on the archival profession or their communities through creativity, innovation, and new approaches to professional challenges. The award celebrates those who think beyond conventional norms, translate innovative ideas into effective solutions, and develop archival programs or outreach activities with extraordinary community impact. Nominees are also recognized for advancing professional knowledge through both traditional and emerging information-sharing methods. Eligible work should have been undertaken within the past three years and be sufficiently advanced to show tangible results. --- ## Due Dates - February 2027 (Nomination submission deadline, anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - The award consists of a certificate and complimentary registration for the recipient(s) (or one representative, if a group or organization) to the SAA Annual Meeting in the year the award is presented. - No direct monetary prize is provided. --- ## Eligibility - Open to individual archivists, groups of archivists, repositories, or organizations. - Nominees should demonstrate: - Creativity or innovation in addressing professional challenges. - Ability to think outside professional or institutional norms. - Success in translating innovative ideas into working solutions. - Development of archival programs or outreach activities with extraordinary community impact. - Commitment to advancing professional knowledge via traditional or emerging information-sharing media. - The recognized work must have been undertaken within the past three years and be sufficiently advanced to show results. - Self-nominations and nominations by others are permitted. --- ## Application Process - Nominations must be submitted via the official [nomination form](https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/45851-Society-Of-American-Archivists) (external link). - The submission requires a description of how the nominee meets the outlined criteria. - Only completed nominations submitted by the deadline will be considered. - The selection is made by the Archival Innovators Award Subcommittee of the SAA Awards Committee. --- ## Additional Information - The award is funded by the Society of American Archivists Foundation. - First awarded in 2012. - Past recipients include individuals, collaborative teams, and institutional programs with significant community impact. - The recipient is recognized at the SAA Annual Meeting. --- ## External Links - [Award Program Page (SAA)](https://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-innovators) - [Nomination Form](https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/45851-Society-Of-American-Archivists) - [Society of American Archivists Home](https://www2.archivists.org) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Info | [Contact SAA](https://www2.archivists.org/contact) | | Phone | (312) 606-0722 | | Address | 17 North State Street, Suite 1425, Chicago, IL 60602-4061, United States| ---

Archival Innovator Award

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