Rigorous · Independent · Confidential
ACCLAD's selection process is designed for integrity above all else. No politics. No commercial influence. No shortcuts.
Nominations are accepted from any individual, institution, or civil society organisation worldwide. Self-nominations are also accepted. All submissions are treated with strict confidentiality — nominees are not informed of their nomination until the shortlist stage.
The 2026 nomination window runs from 1 January to 31 October 2026. All submissions must be completed in full, with supporting evidence attached. Incomplete submissions are not forwarded for review.
The ACCLAD Secretariat conducts an initial review of all nominations against a baseline eligibility framework. Submissions are assessed for completeness, evidence quality, and alignment with the criteria of measurable impact and verified achievement.
Nominations that pass the Secretariat review are anonymised and formatted into standardised dossiers before being passed to the Global Council. Council members receive no information about the identity of the nominator.
The Global Council of Peers reviews all qualifying nominations in plenary session. Each nominee is assessed against ACCLAD's five-point framework. Council members declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from relevant decisions.
A minimum of two-thirds of the Council must support a nomination for it to proceed to the final shortlist. The Council Chair holds no casting vote — deadlocked nominations are deferred to the following year.
Confirmed honorees are contacted directly and confidentially by the ACCLAD Secretariat. Recognition is formally accepted by the honoree before any public announcement is made. Honorees who decline are treated with full discretion — no record of the nomination is published.
The new class of ACCLAD honorees is announced globally, with profiles published to the permanent archive. Honorees are invited to attend the annual ACCLAD Recognition Ceremony, held in a rotating host city each year.
The Class of 2025 was announced on 15 March 2025. The Recognition Ceremony was held in Geneva. The Class of 2026 announcement is expected March 2026.
Assessment Framework
Measurable, real-world outcomes benefiting people beyond the nominee's immediate circle.
Verified record of ethical conduct commensurate with the public trust the nominee holds.
The geographic or sectoral scope of the nominee's influence — local, national, or global.
Evidence that the work will continue to create value beyond the nominee's direct involvement.
The long-term significance of the nominee's contribution to their field and to humanity.