Numerous awards programs recognize northeast Extension professionals at the regional and national level each year. Explore the table below for critical information on many of those regional and national programs. Explore our other pages for detailed information on NEED’s Exceptional Local Educator Award and the ECOP Excellence in Extension Award.
Are we missing an opportunity? Please send information on the award, the due date, and any other pertinent information to NEED at [email protected].
| Award Name | Awarding Organization | Relevant for…? | Key Dates (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEED Exceptional Local Educator Award | Association of Northeast Extension Directors | Community-based Extension Educators and Agents. LINK | May 1 – Applications due to NEED. |
| ECOP Excellence in Extension Individual Award | Extension Committee on Organization and Policy | All Extension professionals with strong research, publication, and funding portfolios. LINK. | March 1 – Preliminary applications due to NEED through the appropriate NEED member. May 1 – Final improved and endorsed applications due to ECOP. |
| ECOP Excellence in Extension Team Award | Extension Committee on Organization and Policy | Extension teams of +3 people. LINK. | May 1 – Applications due to ECOP. |
| ECOP Diversity Award | Extension Committee on Organization and Policy | Innovative Extension models and techniques. LINK. | May 1 – Applications due to ECOP. |
| ANREP Association Awards | Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals | Members of ANREP – Achievement and Educational Materials awards available. LINK | January 3 – Accepting applications. |
| NACAA Association Awards | National Association of County Agricultural Agents. | Members of NACAA – Communications (13 categories), Achievement, Distinguished Service, and Hall of Fame Awards available. LINK | March 15 – Entries must be posted to NACAA website. |
| JCEP Creative Excellence Awards | Joint Council of Extension Professionals. | Members of JCEP member associations. LINK | March 15 – Applications due to home organization. |
| NACDEP Association Awards | National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals | Members of NACDEP – Excellence in Community Development Work, Cross-Program, Educational Materials, Educational Technology, Innovation and Creativity, Diversity, Excellence in Teamwork, National Service, and Career awards available. LINK | January 31 – Applications due to NACDEP. |
| NAE4-HYDP Association Awards | National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals | Members of NAE4-HYDP – Service Awards (4 categories), Specialty Awards (27 categories), and Communicator Awards (15 categories) available. LINK | March 1 – Applications due to NEA4-HYDP |
| NAEPSDP Association Awards | National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals | Members of NAEPSDP – Outstanding Contributor, Early Career, Excellence in Extension Staff Development, and First Time Conference Attendee Awards available. LINK | September 1 – Applications due to NAEPSDP |
| NEAFCS Association Awards | National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences | Members of NEAFCS – 28 awards are available. See the 2023 awards manual for details. LINK | March 15 – Applications due to NEAFCS |