The Director’s Award is intended to recognize superior performance or special efforts significantly beyond the regular duty requirements, and directly related to fulfilling the NIH mission. Nominations are to be submitted for one of the four specific categories according to the nature of the act, service or work performance. There are four employee categories for the NIH Director's Award, each with specific eligibility and nomination criteria, as outlined below.

Category 1 - Scientific/Medical

Eligibility

All NIH employees or group of employees in the scientific/medical professions.

Criteria

• Unusual display of leadership which promoted the advancement of the understanding or application of scientific phenomena, processes, or problems.
• Unusual achievement in the application of scientific principles and methods to improve the efficiency or extend the benefits of the NIH.
• Discovery or invention of a new principle, process, or device or a scientific nature that resulted in substantial benefits.
• Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at the NIH.
• Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.
• Outstanding contribution to a special committee or task force dealing with NIH-wide policies, procedures, or operations.
• Skill and leadership in science.

Category 2 - Technical/Clerical/Support

Eligibility

All NIH employees or groups of employees in grades GS-1 through GS-9, and Wage Grade equivalent.

Criteria

• Outstanding efforts in applying technical or clerical support skills to accomplish NIH mission.
• Exceptional initiative in carrying out activities to improve NIH program operations or to benefit the NIH environment.
• Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at NIH.
• Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.

Category 3 - Administrative

Eligibility

All NIH employees or group of employees not covered by Categories 1 nor Category 2.

Criteria

• Exceptional initiative or leadership in carrying out activities to improve NIH program operations or to benefit the NIH environment.
• Development and improvement of methods, procedures, or equipment that resulted in substantial benefits to the NIH or Government.
• Unusual competence, compassion, or heroism in an emergency situation at NIH.
• Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task.
• Outstanding contribution to a special committee or task force dealing with NIH-wide policies, procedures, or operations.
• Notable competence and resourcefulness in improving the administrative management of the NIH.
• Skill and leadership in administration.

Category 4 - Common Fund Leadership (formerly Roadmap for Medical Research)

Eligibility

All NIH employees or groups of employees

Criteria

• Unusual display of leadership that promoted the advancement of the NIH Common Fund Program initiatives and/or their underlying processes
• Unusual achievement in the application of scientific and/or administrative principles and methods to improve the efficiency or extend the benefits of the Common Fund Program
• Discovery or invention of a new principle, process or device of a scientific or science administration nature that resulted in a new approach or substantial benefits
• Sustained and excellent performance in carrying out a difficult task
• Outstanding contribution to a special committee or task force dealing with NIH-wide Common Fund Program policies, procedures or operations
• Skill and leadership in science and/or administrative management