(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Eligibility and application forms for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award are now available on the Baldrige web site. The Baldrige Award Application Forms booklet includes instructions for the two-step Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award application process: First, certifying eligibility for the award; and second, applying for the award.

Eligibility Form – (Microsoft Word) (Save the file first and then open it in MS-Word.)
See the Baldrige Award Application Forms booklet for instructions on submitting the form as part of the Eligibility Certification Package.

Application Form – (Microsoft Word) (Save the file first and then open it in MS-Word.)
See the Baldrige Award Application Forms booklet for instructions on submitting the form as part of the Award Application Package.

If you have questions on eligibility certification or the award process, call (877) 237-9064, option 3. To request a paper copy of the full PDF document, e-mail baldrige@nist.gov or call (301) 975-2036.

2010 Due dates

Eligibility Certification Package
• With a nomination to the Board of Examiners—due March 1
• Without a nomination—due April 6

Award Application Package
• On CD—due May 6
• As 30 paper copies—due May 20

Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987. The award—managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in collaboration with the private sector—promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. The award is not given for specific products or services. Since 1988, 75 organizations have received Baldrige Awards.