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Justice, Fairness, Inclusion, and Performance.

Background:

The Election 2024 Project

The Academy's Election 2024 project will highlight the critical value of good government and its importance in safeguarding Democracy. The Academy’s vision is to promote a just, fair, and inclusive government that strengthens communities and protects democracy. Our 12 Grand Challenges in Public Administration offer an agenda for action that can drive solutions that enable good government, build resilient communities, and ensure the protection of democracy. With this effort, the Academy aims to further our vision and encourage productive conversations that lead to a more efficient, effective, and trusted government by soliciting the input of the next generation of leaders worldwide.

The 12 Grand Challenges

As the world moves quickly from the industrial age into the information age, new challenges have arisen and demands on government have increased. But the public sector has often been in a reactive mode—struggling to adapt to a rapidly evolving geopolitical, economic, social, technological, and cultural environment. Over the next decade, all sectors of society must work together to address the critical issues of protecting and advancing democracy, strengthening social and economic development, ensuring environmental sustainability, and managing technological changes. In order to succeed, governments at all levels must improve their operations so that they can tackle problems in new ways and earn the public’s trust. The Academy has outlined 12 Grand Challenges to advance good governance in the future. Details on the 12 can be found below.


Guidelines

In no more than 1500 words, contestants should prepare a policy memo recommending an action the next US Presidential Administration should take to address a critical issue related to the Grand Challenge of their choice.

Formatting:

  • Please use 12-point Times New Roman font.
  • Documents must be formatted with 1-inch margins on all sides and text should be single-spaced.
  • Please use Chicago style for citations.
  • Use a header on each page with only the title of your entry and use page numbers on all pages.
  • Please include a cover page with your name, school, email, and the Grand Challenge addressed in the memo.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university graduate program or above.
  • The submission period begins September 2, 2024, and closes September 27, 2024. Any entries received after September 27th will not be considered.
  • All entries must be the original work of the contestant.
  • Previously published works do not qualify for this competition.
  • Entries should only focus on one Grand Challenge.
  • Entries must be written in English. AI-Generated or Assisted Texts are not eligible.

Additional Details:

  • The winners will be notified in mid to late October 2024.
  • The reviewing of submissions and selection of winners will be done by a group of Academy Fellows.
  • The winning memos will be posted on the Academy’s website and shared on our social media channels. Winners will also be interviewed by an Academy staff member via Zoom; recordings of these interviews will be shared with the Academy’s network. In addition, winners will receive a certificate in recognition of excellence in public administration research.


Applications Closed