The Application period for the 2026 BPGS opens on December 2, 2025!
The NAGC Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards is a national and international awards program held each year to recognize excellence in the field of government communications.
Employees or contractors of federal, state, county, local, military, tribal or other government entities can apply for communications projects produced or implemented during the prior calendar year.
2026 Awards
Projects must have been produced or implemented between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to be eligible for submission. If payment is not received by the submission deadline of February 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Time, your submissions may be disqualified.
We offer a variety of categories and subcategories covering a broad range of communications products. You can enter as many projects and categories as you choose. Up to three awards (first, second, third) may be awarded to top-scoring applications in each subcategory. Entries must meet minimum scoring criteria to earn placement.
Entry Fees and Important Dates
|
Submission Type
|
Entry Fee |
| Early Bird Member (Deadline January 9, 2026)
|
$190 |
| Early Bird Non-Member (Deadline January 9, 2026)
|
$275 |
| Regular Rate - Member (Deadline February 10, 2026)
|
$250 |
| Regular Rate - Non-Member (Deadline February 10, 2026)
|
$350 |
| Multiple Submissions Discount |
10% |
| *discount applied automatically at checkout |
|
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|
Key Activity
|
Deadline |
| Awards Open for Submissions |
December 2, 2025 |
| Judge Application Open for Submissions
|
December 2, 2025 |
| Early Bird Discount Ends |
January 9, 2026 |
| Awards Submissions Close |
February 10, 2026 |
| Judge Application Submissions Close
|
February 10, 2026 |
| Award Winners Notified |
April 2026 |
| Awards Ceremony and Reception |
May 13, 2026 |
| Trophies Mailed to Winners |
June 2026 |
Awards Ceremony and Reception
The Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held in person on Wed. May 13, 2026, during NAGC Communications School at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs, CA.
Please note that this event will not be available to view virtually.
Tickets for the BPGS Awards Ceremony and Reception are available starting in January 2026, when Communications School registration opens.
You can either attend the full Communications School, which includes the awards ceremony and reception, or you can register just for the awards ceremony and reception.
Questions?
For questions about judging, awards categories and other guidelines, please contact Competitions Director Andrea Iglar. For questions about the awards platform, please contact our Events Team.
