Call for Entries: 2012 Awards for U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Cooperation and Innovation

An Initiative of the Border Research Partnership Awards website: http://nacts.asu.edu/projects/2012-awards-for-us-mexico-cross-border-cooperation-and-innovation

Deadline for submission of entries: April 20, 2012

Overview
The Border Research Partnership (comprising the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, and the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University) announces its 2012 Awards for U.S.-Mexico Crossborder Collaboration and Innovation. The awards will honor bi-national collaboration and innovation in public safety, transportation planning, environmental stewardship, education, health, and the arts, among other fields.

Awardees will be selected by a prestigious binational selection committee, which reflects the bi-national identity, diversity, and spirit of the border—with members from business, government, academia, and the non-profit sector. Awards will be conferred at an event in the fall of 2012—with travel paid for winning entries.

The publication of a bilingual book profiling all award finalists will serve to tell the often-overlooked success stories of U.S.-Mexico collaboration, emphasizing the good work of institutions, non-profits, and other organizations.

Eligibility criteria
Successful entries will profile extraordinary experiences of cross-border cooperation and collaboration. Successful entries will also demonstrate how such experiences benefit the lives of border-region residents in innovative ways.

Entries may be submitted by accredited non-profit non-governmental organizations, as well as by those state or local government agencies or departments that coordinate relevant programs, initiatives, or projects. Applicants/nominees must be based within the 10-state border region.

Strong applications will profile experiences that demonstrate clear stakeholder involvement on both sides of the border and that emphasize the importance of common regional interests and concerns. Experiences may include cross-border exchanges, bi-national events, or be the results of work, programming, or other organized efforts. They may culminate from long-term planning or result from a rapid response to an immediate need.

How to Apply
Applications will consist of an entry form and essay which may be downloaded below. Individuals and organizations may self-apply for the award or be nominated by another party (the same guidelines and entry form should be used for both applicants and nominees). The submission deadline is Friday, April 20, 2012.

The official award guidelines and entry/nomination form as well as a book (Our Shared Border / Nuestra Frontera Compartida) and an announcement on the 2011 awardees and finalists may be found at http://nacts.asu.edu/projects/2012-awards-for-us-mexico-cross-border-cooperation-and-innovation.

For more information, please contact Erik Lee at erik.w.lee@asu.edu, tel. 480-727-8926.