Eligibility and Nomination Instructions for the Safe Trade Award
The PPQ Deputy Administrator’s Safe Trade Award recognizes exceptional work in safeguarding America’s agricultural and natural resources for APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ).
The basis for the award is the APHIS and PPQ mission statements. The award recognizes individuals or teams that contribute to international and regional plant health standards, market access facilitation, market access dispute resolution or other strategic initiatives in support of APHIS/PPQ’s mission. The award celebrates outstanding initiative and innovation, efforts that go above and beyond expectations, common sense and ingenuity, and demonstrated results that support safe trade. The PPQ Deputy Administrator will consider nominations that demonstrate the best mix of these elements. Above all, a nomination should showcase work that has risen above expectations and that is truly exceptional in promoting safe trade. To see the recipients of past Safe Trade Awards, visit the Award Winners and Honorable Mentions page.
If you are aware of a project or team that has exemplified PPQ’s mission and commitment to safeguarding and safe trade, please consider nominating them.
Eligibility and Open Period
This year’s award will cover activities occurring between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Eligible nominees include employees of PPQ and our cooperators—ranging from Federal and State governments, Tribal nations, colleges and universities, nonprofit institutions, and industry. Submit nominations starting March 18 until April 26. 2024 by 5 p.m. EST.
Submission of Nominations
Please follow the instructions on the form closely, clearly answer all questions, and write a compelling story in the narrative section. For a team submission, be sure to include everyone’s full name and affiliation on the nomination form. Keep your nomination narrative concise, but do provide enough jargon-free detail so that someone unfamiliar with the work can readily grasp its significance.
Use the Award Nomination Form and Team Nomination Template below to complete your nomination.
- Award Nomination Form
- Team Nomination Template – to be used in conjunction with nomination form for listing individual team members
Submit your nomination and any questions about the nomination process to theppqdaac@usda.gov.