The Beacon Award is operated on an annual cycle:
- Before Dec. 31: Units must complete the HWEAT
- Feb. 1 – Aug. 31: Purchase and submit application
- Sept 1 – Dec 31: Applications reviewed and analyzed, applicants notified
Before starting, download the Beacon Award Program Overview to review important information about the program, application and evaluation processes.
The program is open to any unit in a facility in the United States that can report the required data. However, applicants from international units are asked to meet with a Beacon team member before purchasing an application.
If your unit is considering applying for the Beacon Award, the unit staff must complete the free Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) before Dec. 31. If the HWEAT is not completed, the unit will not be able to apply during the application period (February-August) in the following calendar year (i.e., complete the HWEAT in 2024 for 2025 submission).
Purchase and access your application through the Beacon Application Portal
Your purchase will also provide you with applicant resources such as:
- Digital handbook specific to each module
- Framework for writing qualitative exemplars
- Additional resources to support the successful completion of your application
To prepare for applying next year, in addition to completing your HWEAT, start thinking about projects, improvements, achievements etc., your unit is making this calendar year that could be developed into the qualitative exemplars.
Visit the Beacon FAQ for more information.