Your commitment to creating an exceptional workplace deserves recognition

The Top Public Sector Employer Awards celebrate organizations like yours that prioritize innovation, engagement, and leadership. Demonstrate your dedication to your employees by entering and inspire others to follow your example.

To prepare for submission, applicants should have:

  • A completed cover sheet with organizational and contact details.

  • Responses to all category-specific questions.

  • Relevant supporting documentation and necessary attachments (e.g., organizational charts, employee feedback summaries, policy references, training program outlines, etc).

The TPSE Awards are more than just recognition—they're a movement to spotlight the innovative, people-focused work happening in public service.  Be part of the next cohort and inspire others to follow your lead. The application portal for 2026 will open in July. To accelerate participation and build the nation's premier benchmark of public-sector employers, Pracademic Partners is waiving the application fee for the 2026 Top Public Sector Employer Awards

Apply Now!

TPSE GRANTS PROGRAM

The Top Public Sector Employer Awards program plans to offer a competitive grant initiative with awards made in December. This is for TPSE Award winners only. Learn more about our grant program with the frequently asked questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As an additional benefit of award recognition, all TPSE award-winners for each yearly cycle are placed into an award-winners-only grant program. The Employee Appreciation Grant Program is designed to support public sector organizations in recognizing and appreciating their employees' hard work and dedication. This grant provides funding for initiatives that foster a positive work environment, boost morale, and enhance employee engagement – all foundational elements of the TPSE program. Example expenses may include recognition events, appreciation gifts, team-building activities, or other meaningful ways to acknowledge employees' contributions. The goal is to help public sector employers show gratitude to their teams in a way that aligns with their organizational culture and values.

  • All award-winners for that annual TPSE award program cycle (i.e. 2026 winners are eligible for 2026 grants) are eligible participants. Non-winners of the TPSE and public sector entities who have not applied for the TPSE program are ineligible. 

  • Grant awards will range from $500-$1,000 for each awardee.

  • Total grant money available each year will vary depending on the number of applications received and TPSE awards bestowed. It is estimated that up to $5,000 in grant awards will be made annually.

  • Award winners do not need to submit any additional information to be eligible for the grant funds. A panel of Top Public Sector Employers (TPSE) award reviewers will identify and recommend the most deserving recipients from the annual award list for potential grant funding consideration.

  • Grants will be awarded in December of each year.