The Excellence in Research: Highlights from Across the Network panel celebrates SPN affiliates at the forefront of original research and strategic, creative implementation. Designed as a peer-learning showcase rather than a traditional award program, the Excellence in Research committee will select several applicants to share more about their projects at SPN Annual Meeting, inspiring affiliates to go further, faster, together.  

2026 Key Dates

  • April 21: Applications Open 
  • May 5: Applications Close 
  • May 15: Panelists Selected 
  • August 24-27: Panelists Present their research at Annual Meeting 

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About the Panel 

SPN is seeking original research from our Network that has demonstrably influenced policymakers, academia, or media – with particular interest in research that significantly advances an organization’s strategic goals. Research typically refers to white papers, datasets with analytical recommendations, or similar work, but we are open to affiliates’ own definitions. Quality research alone isn’t enough, however – we’re looking for the impact of that research in action.  
 
Applicants should be prepared to explain how they used their research to create tangible results, whether through new policy adoption, shifted legislative debates, or changed public understanding of an issue. We’ll also consider older research applied in innovative new ways that produced fresh impact. Panelists will be selected based on the strength of their research’s real-world influence and their ability to provide insights that other state think tanks could adapt and apply in their own contexts. 

Nomination Criteria 

  • Research published between April 2025 and April 2026 are eligible to be presented. 
  • Only affiliates of State Policy Network are eligible to apply. 
  • Nominations may be submitted by any staffer within a state think tank, provided the nominating member can give the full context of the research, the process, any impact, etc.  

Finalist Selection Process 

A panel of SPN staff will meet between May 5 and May 15 to select three finalists to present their research at Annual Meeting. 

The Committee: 

Frequently Asked Questions

What information should I include with my application? 
Application forms will be made available closer to the nomination period in April. In general, we are looking for information that will help the committee understand how the research was created, the impact that it had on your work and your state, etc. 

Can I submit the same research for the Bob Williams Award/Communications Excellence Award and Excellence in Research Panel? 
You may submit your projects for as many awards/panels as you wish, as long as you believe they meet the criteria of each respective application.  

What qualifies as published research? 
Any original research done by an affiliate of SPN is eligible. Ideally, this would be research that was first published in the April 2025-April 2026 timeline, but the committee may also consider older research if the organization can show that it has been applied in a new way that produces impact during the time period.