Apply for the Catalyst or Breakout Program award

The Catalyst Award

About the Catalyst Award

The Catalyst Award is the premier recognition of organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that drive representation and inclusion for women.

The global Catalyst Award attracts organizations from around the world. Every year, Catalyst identifies and receives applications from companies of all sizes, regions, and industries whose groundbreaking initiatives to advance women—including women from marginalized ethnic and racial groups as well as across other intersections of identity—make them eligible for the Award.

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is a strategic imperative for organizational success. That is a proven fact. How you get there…that’s the real story. By applying for the Catalyst Award, your company or firm will:

Benefit from an external perspective on your organization’s culture and D&I efforts.
Showcase your internal and external strategies, talent, and progress.
Learn how to continuously improve your efforts.
Show your commitment to being an employer of choice.

Winning initiatives must show proven, measurable results that benefit women across a range of dimensions, among them race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, generation, nationality, disability, and Indigenous peoples.

The 2026 Catalyst Award application is LIVE!

Applications are due April 24, 2025

Process and criteria

Timeline

How to apply

Application tips

The Catalyst Breakout Program award

About the Catalyst Breakout Program award

The Catalyst Breakout Program award is designed to recognize innovative and inspiring programs that drive inclusion at work by increasing opportunities for all employees. Programs that win the Catalyst Breakout Program award illustrate unique approaches to organizational issues and demonstrate positive impact on employee outcomes.

Examples of a specific, individual program that may be nominated for the award include:

• A mentoring or sponsorship program

• A community-based effort to ensure suppliers have an equal chance to work with your company regardless of demographics or background

• A training program for recruiters that has increased the diversity of your pool of candidates

Learn about the winners of the 2025 Catalyst Breakout Program award winners.

Process and criteria

Timeline

How to apply

The application

Download application (PDF)

Before writing your application, please note the eligibility requirements on the first page of this document. In 3 pages or less, describe the specific program and/or activity you are nominating. In your nomination, please be sure to follow the format below and answer the following questions.

Application Sections:

1. Integration and Accountability

History and Context

Why was the program started? What problem does it solve? Describe any unique barriers/challenges that employees face in your industry, region, or organization type. How does this program help address the challenges and/or barriers your company faces? How does this program promote inclusion?
How was the need for this program identified? For example, was this an idea that started with employees? Did it come from an analysis of disparities in an engagement survey?
How did the program begin? For example, who was involved in establishing it? How was leadership buy-in acquired?

Elements of the Program and Participation Rates

Who participates in the program? What are the eligibility criteria? How are participants selected?
What are the details of the program? Please be specific. What do participants do in the program? How is the program managed or maintained? Who is involved in executing the program? Who is responsible for its success, and how are they held accountable? Has the program evolved over time? If so, how?
- Be sure to include the date it began and participation rates for each year it has been in place, split by gender and race/ethnicity as able.

Communication

How is the program communicated both internally and externally? How do eligible employees find out about the program?

2. Impact

What impact has the program had? What outcomes have arisen from this program? For example, equal promotion rates across gender, increases in employee engagement/satisfaction, improvements in customer experiences across identity?

3. Innovation

• What is unique or innovative about this program? What about this program stands out in your industry or region? What can other companies learn from your program?

Additional Information

Evaluation Process and Key Dates

Please submit applications by email to Emily Shaffer no later than July 18, 2025.
Applicants must provide Catalyst with the name of a contact person who has in-depth knowledge about the program.
Members of the Catalyst Breakout Program award evaluation team will review your application and compile a list of follow up questions no later than August 8, 2025. Responses to follow up questions are due August 22, 2025.
Catalyst Breakout Program award winners will be notified by October 20, 2025. Public announcements will be made in January 2026.
Winners of the award will be celebrated at the Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner in March 2026 (date TBD).

Celebrating Catalyst Breakout Program Award Winners

Your CDO/CHRO or an individual in a comparable role must agree to accept the award in person at the Catalyst Awards Dinner in New York City.
Potential ways in which winners will be celebrated (not limited to):
Public announcement posted on Catalyst’s website and social media platforms
- Promotional video highlighting the winning programs at the Catalyst Awards Dinner
- Virtual exhibit booth space featuring award winners
- Description of the winning programs featured on Catalyst’s website