In 2026, the InfraGard National Members Alliance and the FBI are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the InfraGard program. Established to protect U.S. critical infrastructure, this public-private partnership marks three decades of sharing intelligence, trust-building, and strengthening national security across 77+ chapters.
As we move toward Congress to cerebrate InfraGard’s 30th Anniversary, we have a unique opportunity to highlight the extraordinary dedication, service, and leadership that make this organization exceptional. Recognition is not just an awards program—it is a culture. When we elevate the people who strengthen our chapters, we reinforce the values that define InfraGard and inspire others to step forward.
The 2026 National Awards Nomination window opened on March 2nd and will close on Sunday, May 31st. Late nominations cannot be accepted. This year, our goal is ambitious but achievable: 100 high‑quality nominations representing the very best of our 77 IMA chapters.
We are asking you to take an active role in identifying the individuals within our chapter who consistently go above and beyond—those who build partnerships, support your mission, innovate, mentor, and strengthen your programs. Every chapter has these people. They deserve to be seen, and their stories deserve to be shared at the national level.
Below are the awards nominations guidelines:
1. This Awards cycle covers activities and accomplishments during the 2025 calendar year only.
2. Only InfraGard members may nominate an individual for an award.
3. Each IMA may present only one nomination for each award.
4. Except for the FBI and DHS awards, nominees for individual awards must be InfraGard members.
5. Members of the INMA leadership team (board members and officers) are not eligible for any award while serving and until one year after leaving their position.
6. Members of the Awards Committee are not eligible for any award while serving. Additionally, a past Awards Committee Chair is not eligible for the Linda Franklin Award until one year after leaving the position.
7. Individuals may not be nominated for a specific award if they have been the recipient of that same award, on the national level, in the past three (3) years. Previous regional/tier recipients who were not selected as a national recipient may be nominated.
8. To ensure validity of each nomination, the Awards Committee will contact the appropriate IMA President and FBI Private Sector Coordinator for approval.
9. Self-nominations are not permitted.
10. All criteria fields on the nominations are mandatory. The system will not accept blank answers or answers with fewer than 10 words.
11. You will have the ability to save a partially completed nomination and receive an email from InfraGard National Awards Program that will permit you to return and complete it for submission.
12. Upon submission of a nomination, you will receive a confirmation email from InfraGard National Awards Program. You will also receive a PDF copy of your nomination from Awards Chair.
HOW TO NOMINATE
To Register as an Award Nominator, visit the Awards Platform. For more information about the categories below or the nomination process, please go the Contact Us page and click the image to email the chapter President. In most categories, we will be competing against IMA’s of similar size.
Linda Franklin National Achievement Memorial Award
As the highest honor in the InfraGard National Awards Program, the Linda Franklin National Achievement Memorial Award acknowledges an individual who has made a profound and enduring impact on the InfraGard program. Receiving this award is a testament to an individual’s dedication, hard work, and talent, and it serves as a powerful recognition of their contributions. Nominations must describe how the nominee has demonstrated a long track record of significant and lasting contributions, and spirit of service and dedication to the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support the criteria.
Note: The Linda Franklin National Achievement Memorial Award is only given to one national winner. There are no tier winners.
IMA Leader of the Year Award / Ivan Wolkind IMA Leader of the Year Award
Nominations must describe how a nominee who holds a leadership position within an IMA has demonstrated an exemplary track record as a leader and made significant contributions to their IMA and the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
Sector Chief of the Year Award
Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled as a Sector Chief and made significant contributions to their IMA, InfraGard members and the overall safety and security of their sector. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
Sector Chief of the Year for Physical Security Award
Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled as a Sector Chief and made significant contributions to their IMA, InfraGard members and the overall safety and security of their sector. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria. Eligibility: This IMA Sector Chief of the Year Award for Physical Security is intended only for individuals who work in physical security.
Meeting the Challenge Award
Nominations must describe how the nominee has successfully overcome challenges or obstacles in pursuit of executing the InfraGard mission of protecting U.S. critical infrastructure. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
FBI Private Sector Coordinator of the Year Award / Daniel Alfin FBI Private Sector Coordinator of the Year Award
Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled as an FBI Private Sector Coordinator and made significant contributions to their affiliated IMA and the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
FBI Professional of the Year Award
The success of the InfraGard program depends upon more than just the FBI Private Sector Coordinator. Other professionals from the FBI Field Offices and FBI Headquarters provide significant contributions every year. This award is intended to recognize their efforts. FBI HQ or non-regional nominees may be nominated by any region for the purpose of this category.
Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled as an FBI professional and made significant contributions to the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
DHS Security Advisor of the Year Award
This award is only open to DHS Protective Security Advisor (PSA) and Cyber Security Advisor (CSA) nominees. Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled as a PSA or CSA and made significant contributions to the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
IMA Community Outreach Award
Nominations must describe how the IMA has successfully engaged with their community to execute the InfraGard mission of protecting U.S. critical infrastructure. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
Public/Private Partnership Award
Nominations must describe how the IMA, or InfraGard member, and collaborative partner successfully forged a public/private partnership to execute the InfraGard mission of protecting U.S. critical infrastructure. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
Cross-Sector Council Leadership Award
Note: The National Cross-Sector Council Program is a national program of InfraGard National Members Alliance. Only those working on the Cross-Sector Councils may be nominated for this award. Regional awards will not be selected; there will only be one award for a national winner.
Nominations must describe how the nominee has demonstrated leadership in making significant contributions to the National Cross-Sector Council Program, InfraGard members, and the InfraGard program. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.
Rookie of the Year Award
Nominations must describe how the nominee has excelled in making significant contributions to their affiliated IMA and the InfraGard program within their first year of InfraGard membership. The nomination must include measurable specifics (e.g., type/number of programs, initiatives, events, members served, or other efforts) to support each of the criteria.