Shared Ideals Realized, the words of Senator Heinz in whose memory the Awards were created, are inscribed on the obverse side of the medallion given to each recipient of the Heinz Awards. On the reverse side, an image of a globe positioned between two hands symbolizes not only the concept of joining together to work for the greater good, but also the passing of stewardship over the earth and its inhabitants from one generation to the next.
Former Criteria & Process
CRITERIA FOR CANDIDATES
For over three decades, the Heinz Awards recognized individuals whose work advanced progress and improved lives. The following criteria and process guided the selection of award recipients throughout the program’s history.
Nominators for the Heinz Awards were asked to bring forward candidates who demonstrated a remarkable mix of vision, optimism, creativity and hard work — qualities that, when combined, produce tangible achievements of lasting good. More specifically, candidates for a Heinz Award were required to meet the following standards:
Nominees exhibited the following personal characteristics:
- A passion for excellence that extended beyond intellectual curiosity
- A concern for humanity rooted in a deep sensitivity to the well-being of others
- A broad vision far beyond the particular that embraced something universal
- A gritty determination to see work through to completion despite inevitable setbacks
Nominees’ work met the following criteria:
- It was significant and not a "quick fix".
- It demonstrated an enduring and meaningful impact.
- It was creative and innovative.
- It was sufficiently tangible to serve as a model for, or otherwise inspire, future work. In the Arts category, individuals produced a body of work that demonstrated artistic excellence, displayed a breadth of impact and in some way enlightened the human experience.
Nominees met the following eligibility requirements:
- The Heinz Awards were not lifetime achievement awards; candidates were actively working in the field in which they were nominated so the award could enhance their potential for future societal contribution.
- Nominees were required to be U.S. citizens.
- Self‑nominations were not accepted. Awards were not granted to jury members; staff, directors or officers of the Foundation; their family members; individuals with whom nominators had a direct working relationship or financial conflict of interest; or public officials in elected or appointed positions.
- Candidates were reviewed without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or other categories protected by law.
SELECTION Process
Nominations were submitted by invited experts, who served anonymously. Submissions were researched and evaluated by Foundation staff and reviewed by jurors appointed by the Heinz Family Foundation. Jurors made recommendations in each category to the program’s board of directors, which subsequently selected the Awards recipients. Honorees received a monetary prize and a Heinz Awards medallion.
Recipients were selected without any action on their part and were not required to render any service as a condition of being nominated or receiving an award.
Shared Ideals Realized, the words of Senator Heinz in whose memory the Awards were created, are inscribed on the obverse side of the medallion given to each recipient of the Heinz Awards. On the reverse side, an image of a globe positioned between two hands symbolizes not only the concept of joining together to work for the greater good, but also the passing of stewardship over the earth and its inhabitants from one generation to the next.