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Call for Entries: Awards for U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Cooperation and Innovation

Awards for U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Cooperation

The Border Research Partnership will sponsor awards recognizing extraordinary experiences of U.S.-Mexico cross-border cooperation. Awards will honor binational cooperation and innovation in, among others, the fields of public safety, transportation planning, environmental stewardship, education, health, and the arts. Awardees will be selected by a prestigious selection committee, reflecting the bi-national identity, diversity, and spirit of the border—with members from business, government, academia, and the non-profit sector. Awards will be
conferred in tandem with the 2011 Border Governors Conference and in association with the Border Legislative Conference—with expenses-paid travel for winning entries. The publication of a bilingual book, profiling the extraordinary cross-border experiences of all finalists, will serve as a testament to the benefits
of bi-national cooperation and innovation. Awards will serve to tell the oftenoverlooked success stories of U.S.-Mexico cross-border cooperation, emphasizing the good work of institutions, non-profits, government agencies, and other organizations endeavoring to make the region a better place.

Eligibility Criteria
Successful entries will profile extraordinary experiences of cross-border cooperation and collaboration and will demonstrate how such experiences benefit the lives of border-region residents in innovative ways. Entries may be submitted by accredited non-profit non-governmental organizations, as well as by state or local government agencies or departments that manage eligible programs, initiatives, or projects. Applying organizations must be based within the 10-state border region. Strong applications will profile experiences that demonstrate clear stakeholder involvement from both sides of the border and that emphasize the importance of common regional interests and concerns.

Experiences may include cross-border exchanges, bi-national events, or be the results of work, programming, or other organized efforts. They may culminate from long-term planning or result from a rapid response to an immediate need.

Application and Selection Process
Applications will consist of an entry form and essay. Entry forms will seek basic information about the applying organization, program, project, or initiative, as well as a basic profile of the experience being submitted for consideration. Entry forms are available on the award website at www.wilsoncenter.org/borderawards.

Essays will enable a fuller description of the experience being profiled and may
address the following questions:
1) How has the experience helped to benefit the lives of border-region residents?
2) How has this experience demonstrated innovative practices of cross-border
collaboration?
3) What have been the principal advances and challenges encountered?
4) What more still remains to be achieved?
5) How can cross-border cooperation be advanced to benefit both countries?

Essays may range from 500 to 750 words in English or from 600 to 900 words in
Spanish. Finalists' essays will be included in a publication that will accompany
the awards and, thus, may be slightly adjusted for length and style.

Key Dates
Entry deadline: Monday, April 18, 2011
Winners formally notified: Late May 2011
Awards ceremony: September 2011 (date and location yet to be finalized)
Applications in either English or Spanish consisting of entry form and essay may be sent to robert.donnelly@wilsoncenter.org and/or kpatron@colef.mx

Mailed applications may be sent to:
Woodrow Wilson Center Mexico Institute
c/o Robert Donnelly and/or Kristofer Patrón Soberano
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
USA/EEUU
Faxed applications may be sent to: +1-(202)-691-4076.

Entry deadline:
Monday, April 18, 2011

 

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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more