Sommer Klag Advocacy Achievement Award
Call for Nominations: 2025 Advocacy Achievement Award
This award, presented in partnership with the American Public Health Association (APHA), is awarded to an academic faculty member from an accredited school or program of public health who has made notable progress in their area of expertise through impactful advocacy work.
Applications will open late January and close mid-May.
Background
In 2018, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health launched its latest strategic plan, in which 'advocacy' appeared as an essential pillar for approaching today's public health challenges. In that spirit, Sidney and Helaine Lerner initiated a generous gift for the Sommer Klag Advocacy Awards program that would build on the School’s long tradition of advocacy and encourage lasting change well into the future. The awards honor past giants in our field, namely Deans Emeriti Alfred Sommer and Michael Klag, and inspire the next generation of advocates and champions.
Advocacy is a crucial skillset, urgently needed for the success of future public health leaders. Traditionally, advocacy has been undervalued in public health training, particularly in academic settings. We are seeing a growing recognition of the need for advocacy skills, and it is time to elevate success stories.
FAQ
What is the Advocacy Achievement Award?
| WHO | WHAT | HOW |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Full-time academic faculty member from accredited school or program of public health | $30,000 prize, engraved award, and funding for attendance to the 2025 APHA Annual Meeting. | The winner's work will demonstrate:
|
What is the timeline?
January - May 2025: Nomination period
August 2025: Winner selected and notified
November 2025: Winner announced during APHA Awards Ceremony
How are nominations submitted?
Nominations are submitted through an online submission form.
2025 Nomination Form Items
- Title/topic of work
- Overall description and quality of the work - what is the need, origin, and window of opportunity for the work? (400 words or less)
- Nominee's role in and contribution to a shift in policy, social norms, or behavior - what has the nominee done and how was the work strategic and/or innovative? (400 words or less)
- Impact assessment - what are the implications and prospects for longevity of the work? How have these efforts improved equity? Does the work help close the gap on the issue? (400 words or less)
- External partnerships and coalitions - what partnerships/relationships have been built or strengthened as a result of this work? (400 words or less)
- Contribution to the field - how does this work move the field of public health advocacy forward? (400 words or less)
- CV & 2 supporting documents (e.g., publications, articles, videos, or other supplemental materials). Documents can be shared via hyperlink and/or file upload.
- Two letters of recommendation from a current or past colleague, community partner, mentor, department chair, or another person that can speak to the nominee’s advocacy work (optional)
What if I have more questions?
Please email Diane Coraggio (diane.coraggio@jhu.edu) if you have specific questions about the awards process.