Counseling Awards

Who may submit nominations?

1. SCORE District Directors and SCORE Leadership may nominate SCORE Chapters.
2. Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States, including trade and professional associations and business organizations, may nominate a SCORE Chapter for this award. 

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated?

Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

What information must the nomination package contain?

1. A completed background form (SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background Form) for the SCORE director. The SCORE director may also include completed background forms for individual SCORE employees.
2. A completed (SBA Form 3303, SCORE Chapter of the Year Award) nomination form. 
3. A completed authorization, grant & release of materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
4. A high-resolution digital photo of the SCORE Director – at least 300 DPI is required.
5. Any other supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated) and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation must not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered.  

Where are the nominations to be sent?

All nominations must be submitted electronically to the 2027 BOX upload link. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.

When is the deadline for nominations?

Nominations must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. ET, December 7, 2026.

What are the evaluation/selection criteria?

Chapter performance on the SBA goals which include the following: 

1. Clients advised  
2. New business starts  
3. Percent of businesses realizing revenue growth 
4.  Jobs supported 

The Office of Entrepreneurial Development may establish additional goals, which will be shared with SCORE executives. 

What are the selection procedures?

The SCORE Chapter of the Year award winners will be selected at the District and National levels.  

1. SBA District Offices will select the district-level winner. 
2. SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development based on, but not limited to, the recommendations of SBA employees and SCORE executives, will select the national-level winner. 

Who may submit nominations?

1. Lead SBDC Centers may nominate SBDC Service Centers in their network.
2. Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States, including trade and professional associations and business organizations, may nominate an SBDC Service Center for this award.

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated?

Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form for the Center director. The Center director may also include completed background forms for individual Center employees, as applicable.
2. A completed SBA Form 3304, Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award nomination form.
3. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
4. A high-resolution digital photo of the SBDC Director – at least 300 DPI is required.
5. Any other supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered. 

Where are the nominations to be sent? 

All nominations must be submitted electronically to the 2027 BOX upload link. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.

When is the deadline for nominations?

Nominations must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. ET, December 7, 2026. 

What are the evaluation/selection criteria? 

In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria: 

S – Surpasses 

1. Meets or exceeds the service centers or specialized team’s performance SBA milestones and may include other center/team goals (include actual results and the related goal). 

B – Builds 

2. Helps build small businesses, including startups, by creating and implementing innovative programs, events, publications, research materials, and online applications. This success is demonstrated through success stories, job creation/retention and revenue growth resulting from the service center or specialized team advising assistance. 

D – Develops 

3. Prepares the service center or specialized team for success by actively participating with the lead center in the professional development of counselors and staff in accordance with the network’s strategic plan. 

C – Champions 

4. Acknowledged by the local/regional small business and economic development community as an advocate for advancing opportunities for entrepreneurial development (including any relevant news articles and/or letters from partners – limited to eight total).
5. Recognized by the local SBA district office as a champion for SBA products and services including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses. 

Good Standing: SBDC or specialized team must be in good standing with SBA. This includes but is not limited to having no Lead Center unresolved examination or review findings attributable to the nominee’s Lead Center.  

What are the selection procedures?

Small Business Development Center Award winners will be selected at the District and National levels.

1. SBA District Offices will select the district level winner. 
2. The SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development will select the national-level winner based on, but not limited to, the recommendations of a panel of judges that may be comprised of federal employees, will select the national level winner. 

Who may submit nominations?

1. VBOC host organizations.
2. Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States, U.S. Territories or District Columbia such as trade, advocacy and professional associations, businesses, lenders and economic development organizations.

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated?

Veterans Business Outreach Centers that are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government. 

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form.
2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
3. A completed SBA Form 3305, Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award nomination form. Form coming soon.
4. A high-resolution digital photo of the VBOC Director – at least 300 DPI is required.
5. Additional supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered. 

Where are the nominations to be sent? 

All nominations for the Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award must be submitted electronically to the 2027 BOX upload link. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.

When is the deadline for nominations?

Nominations must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. ET, December 7, 2026. 

What are the evaluation/selection criteria?

In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria:

1. Goals: Meets or exceeds SBA performance milestones/goals such as clients served, counseling sessions, Boots to Business, Reboot classes, other training events, outreach events, new business starts, jobs created & retained and number of capital infusion.
2. Innovates: Creates and develops innovative events and/or programs, publications, research materials and online applications to enhance small business awareness and solutions;  
3. Champions: Advocates for veteran, transitioning service member, and military spouse entrepreneurs and the broader small business community.
4. Develops: Partners with a variety of local, state and other entities (including SBDCs, WBCs and SCORE) to grow the program.
5. Collaborates: Recognized by the local SBA district office as a champion for SBA products and services including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses.  

What are the selection procedures?

The Veterans Business Outreach Centers Excellence in Service Award winner will be selected by the SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Veterans Business Development based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of a panel of judges that may be comprised of federal employees.

Who may submit nominations?

Any individual or organization dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States, the District of Columbia or US territories, such as trade and professional associations and business organizations, may submit nominations for this award. 

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated?

Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member.
2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member;
3. A completed SBA Form 3306, Women’s Business Center of the Year Award nomination form. Form coming soon.
4. Any other supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered.
5. A statement by the WBC Director that the Center is in compliance with the Notice of Award
6. A high-resolution digital photo of the VBOC Director– at least 300 DPI is required.

Where are the nominations to be sent? 

All nominations must be submitted electronically to the 2027 BOX upload link. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.

When is the deadline for nominations?

Nominations must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. ET, December 7, 2026.  

What are the evaluation/selection criteria for this award?

In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria:

1. The nomination should demonstrate how the WBC is efficiently and effectively delivering services to clients. This should be included in the business profile, but should also be addressed in the nomination letter;
2. Innovates: Creates and develops innovative events and/or programs, publications, research materials and online applications to enhance small business awareness and solutions;
3. Champions: Advocates for women’s entrepreneurship and the overall small business community.
4. Develops: Partners with a variety of local, state and other entities (including SBDCs and SCORE) to grow the program through unique collaborations that not only bring in monetary matching funds but also help market the WBC. Recognized by the local SBA district office as a champion for SBA products and services, including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses; and
5. Collaborates: Recognized by the local SBA district office as a champion for SBA products and services, including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses.

Good Standing: Center must be in good standing with the SBA and have met or exceeded milestones for the previous year and be on track to meeting or exceeding them for the current year at the time of submission. This includes, but is not limited to, having no outstanding examination or review findings.

What are the selection procedures for this award?

The Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award will be selected at the District and National levels. 

1. SBA District Offices will select the district level winner. 
2. SBA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of a panel of judges that may be comprised of federal employees, will select the national level winner.