Know of an individual, organization, or affiliate that champions racial and social justice and civil rights within their community?
Show your support and uplift their good work to the national stage by submitting a nomination for a 2026 Human and Civil Rights (HCR) Award.
Honorees are recognized during the annual HCR Awards program, held in July prior to NEA’s Representative Assembly.
- Identify and honor exemplary individuals, organizations, and affiliates for their contributions to human and civil rights, and racial and social justice.
- Celebrate NEA’s multicultural roots and commitment to justice.
- Recognize today’s human and civil rights victories and chart the path forward.
- Honor the rich legacy of the merger between the American Teachers Association (ATA) and NEA, from whence the HCR Awards program began.
The work of civil rights and social justice heroes is as critical today as it was yesterday. Let’s work together to remind everyone that the cause endures, the struggle goes on, and hope still lives!
Identify your nominees now! It is never too early to begin profiling nominees and potential HCR Award winners! Find information on past winners and submit nominations for the 2026 HCR Awards at nea.org/hcrawards. Nomination forms and instructions will be available online Oct. 7, 2025 – Dec. 6, 2025. For more information, email [email protected].
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