About

The application and support materials must be submitted using the online application form by 5:00 p.m. January 16th, 2026. Search for Excellence is the annual recognition award of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Master Gardener program. The Search for Excellence committee judges applications; one winner will be chosen per category. 

The objective of the Search for Excellence is to recognize outstanding group projects by Extension Master Gardeners. Search for Excellence includes seven categories in which Extension Master Gardeners can demonstrate meaningful contributions to their communities. All Search for Excellence applications must show significant learning took place, whether by the Extension Master Gardeners or the general public. All Extension Master Gardener volunteer projects are significant to their communities, but not all are Search for Excellence projects. Search for Excellence is designed to recognize outstanding group projects and not an individual who does outstanding work. 

Application Instructions

1. The Search for Excellence project application must be written by the Master Gardeners involved, and not by Extension staff.   Provide the following information using the online application template:
   1. Contact information for Master Gardener submitting
      • Name
      • County (or counties/area if it is a multi-county project)
      • Email
   2. Contact information for local Master Gardener coordinator(s) who will verify the application
      • Name
      • Title
      • Email
   3. Submission category (choose one):
      • Community Service (Ex: donation garden, public park space, city beautification, Veterans’ gardens, food insecurity, hospice)
      • Demonstration Gardens (Ex: public space with educational piece, idea garden, inspiration garden)
      • Innovative Projects (Ex: Different partners, unique, engaging different groups)
      • Research (Applied Scientific Methodology)
      • Specific Needs Audiences (Senior, Disabled Audiences or horticultural therapy)
      • Workshop or Presentation (Ex: webinars & events)
      • Youth Programs (Ex: school garden, 4-H/Youth project children’s garden, classroom)
   4. Project name
   5. Description of the project. Include target audience, goals, location and partnerships.  Be sure to address Simple to Replicate, Practicality, Original and Creative, and Compatible with Extension Missions as described in the guidelines.
   6. Methods.  Discuss planning, implementation, and evaluation (e.g. how results, learning and impact were documented)
   7. Results
   8. Significant learning and impact
   9. Budget narrative
   10. Names of active Master Gardeners who are involved in the project from start to finish, and that should receive a certificate. Please do not include their role. Please do not include any other individuals in this listing. Space will be provided to include names of any non-Master Gardener volunteers involved in the project who should receive certificates of appreciation for their efforts.
2. A verification form from your local Master Gardener coordinator is required and must be submitted by that individual. Please provide accurate email information for your local Master Gardener coordinator, as the Search for Excellence committee will send form information directly to their email after your proposal has been submitted. The local Master Gardener coordinator online form will verify that:
   • Extension Master Gardeners involved are currently in good standing.
   • Photo releases are on file for all individuals in the photos or as required by the applicable laws of the local state or province.
   • All application documents have been reviewed.
   • The deadline for receipt of this verification is the same date as the application deadline: January 16th, 2026.  Any project submitted without this document will be disqualified. Please let your County Master Gardener Coordinator know you are submitting a project and that they should expect an email from the Search for Excellence committee for verification.
3. Up to six (6) digital photos in JPEG format may be submitted with the application. Maximum file size for photos is 1 GB. Use the online form to submit your photos.
4. All applications must be submitted online.  No hard copy or emailed applications will be accepted.  Any extra files, photos, or handouts will disqualify the application.
5. Receipt of the Extension Coordinator’s verification comments will be verified via email from the state office within one week of receiving it. If the County Master Gardener Coordinator fails to receive verification within six (6) business days of submission, contact ExtensionMasterGardener@unr.edu.

Criteria for Selection

1. All applications are judged by a committee that consists of Extension professional and volunteers. They will use the following criteria:
   • Simplicity of project (easy to replicate): 10 points
   • Practicality, usefulness or relevance of project: 10 points
   • Originality or creativity: 10 points
   • Consistent with Extension Master Gardener missions: 20 points
   • Clarity and completeness of project application: 20 points
   • Validation that significant learning occurred: 20 points
   • Number of people impacted: 10 points
   • TOTAL:  100 points
2. All the judge’s scores will be totaled and divided by the number of judges.
3. Projects that do not achieve a score of 80% or better are not eligible for an Search for Excellence Award.
4. A judge will be excused from judging an application from the county in which they work or volunteer.
5. An aggregate score sheet along with all the judge’s comments will be returned to the applicants as soon as possible. We hope that the comments will help to strengthen your volunteer work. All decisions and scoring by the judges will be considered final.
6. In the case of a tie, duplicate prizes will be awarded.
7. We applaud all the volunteer work done by the Master Gardeners. We hope that this work is being recognized on the local level.