Nominations that won in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Great Employers may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated achievements since January 1 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization’s or individual thought-leadership: its history and past performance (up to 1,300 characters) Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,600 characters) Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization’s or individual thought-leadership past performance (up to 1,600 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and/or document uploads to support your case to the judges.These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

L01. Achievement in Thought Leadership Skills
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements related to the development of thought leadership skills across the organization.

L02. Achievement in Thought Leadership Talent
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements related to the integration of thought leadership into talent plans and career pathing across the organization.

L03. Achievement in Thought Leadership for Recruitment
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements related to development of the employer brand through thought leadership.

L04. Achievements in Internal Thought Leadership
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements for internal uses of thought leadership by HR.

L05. HR Thought Leader of the Year
Recognizing the achievements of individuals who have been leading voices - through their insights and advocacy - in the field of HR.