The APSIA Annual Awards celebrate the hard work of the APSIA global network. Since 2021, they have been one of the ways APSIA brings our community together to celebrate innovations in the field of professionally focused international affairs education. In 2026, APSIA received nominations from 14 universities across eight countries.

The APSIA team is grateful to the evaluators for their hard work, thoughtful consideration, and commitment in reviewing and selecting the award recipients.

Impact Award: Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.
The Maxwell School is recognized for its outstanding and sustained contributions to APSIA, including long-standing service on evaluation committees, support for deans’ initiatives, and active engagement across the network.

Inclusion Award for Community Building: Parental Incarceration and Children’s Human Rights by Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

The project involved the Human Rights Program, the College of Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, and the Humphrey School’s Master of Human Rights program. It brought together students, subject matter experts, NGO leaders, formerly incarcerated individuals, people impacted by incarceration, former elected officials, and criminal legal system professionals. Throughout the research and policy development process, the project centered the voices of those most directly affected by incarceration policies, including formerly incarcerated parents and adult children impacted by parental incarceration.

Nominees:

• University of Michigan, Ford School of Public Policy: Bridge Builders
• Stockholm School of Economics: MIB International Immersion Internship
• University Mohammed IV Polytechnic, Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences: Al Haouz Outreach Program

Innovation Award for Professional Development Programming: The CARE Climate Leadership Program, a partnership between University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, Paris School of International Affairs, University of British Columbia School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and the University of Guelph.

The CARE Climate Leadership Program is an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented certificate program developed through the CARE partnership between Sciences Po, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Guelph. Bringing together students from diverse academic and geographical backgrounds, the program combines online learning, expert engagement, and collaborative applied projects to explore key climate challenges through the lenses of systems thinking, climate governance and justice, sustainable finance, and communication. Through its emphasis on experiential learning, international collaboration, and real-world problem solving, students develop the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to contribute meaningfully to climate action across sectors and contexts.

Nominees:

• Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service: Pivot with Purpose
• University of Pittsburgh, School of Public and International Affairs: Skills for Global Policy Professionals Course
• Balsillie School of International Affairs: Technology Governance Student Policy Challenge
• University of Trento School of International Studies: The Classroom in the Field
• George Mason University Schar School: National Security and Public Policy Cohort Program
• George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs: Boutique Employer Career Fair

Intersection Award for Linking Theory and Practice: Policy in Practice: Transformative Capstones for Global Impact by IE University School of Politics, Economics, & Global Affairs

This initiative connects Bachelor’s and Master’s students with real-world challenges through research projects developed in collaboration with government agencies, multilateral organizations, NGOs, and private companies. Students produce practical outputs for our partner organizations—policy recommendations, analytical reports, or strategic solutions—while gaining hands-on experience. These projects are carried out through theses, summer research programs, and competitions. Each year, IE delivers capstone projects in partnership with over 60 organizations, engaging more than 300 students annually. Their work has a tangible impact, reaching thousands of people.

Nominees:

• Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Vienna School of International Studies: The European Union: Preparation for the EPSO Selection Procedure course
• Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies Pardee Atlas Graduate Research Conference and Afghan Women's Economic Resilience Summit

To learn more about the APSIA Awards, click here.