Award Cycle

The Clifton Strengths Prize is awarded every other year to individuals or teams whose exemplary work has advanced the science and/or practice of strengths-based psychology, education, and leadership. Each Clifton Strengths Laureate will deliver a public keynote address, contribute three brief white papers to the Clifton Strengths School, and contribute to strengths-related instruction or mentoring activities for strengths scholars. The amount of the prize is $250,000.

Award Review Process

Candidates must be nominated by three non-related sources, who will each be asked to complete a structured evaluation form to determine the merits of the work to be considered for the award. Nominators may collaborate on the application, with one of the nominators designated to compile the application materials. Nominees will be asked to provide their nominating team with a portfolio of representative materials, which will be used to judge qualifications for the award. An independent review committee chosen by the executive advisory board will provide an anonymous evaluation of the candidate’s materials and recommendation to the executive advisory board. The executive advisory board will select the top candidate from the pool of prospective candidates.

Prize Awarders

In October 2005, the Clifton family announced the creation of the Clifton Strengths Prize in honor of Donald O. Clifton’s lifetime of work developing and leading the research of human strengths around the world. A team of prominent social scientists and educational researchers are appointed for each award cycle to serve as the prize selection committee that submits a list of prize finalists to the Clifton family.

Information Required for Nomination

- Name and Address of Nominator
- Vita of Nominee
- Statement of Justification
- Names and Addresses of Other Recommenders
Additional information will be asked of finalists.

The Clifton Strengths Prize has been awarded for 2009. When the nomination process reopens for the next Clifton Strengths Prize, submission instructions will be posted here.