Frequently Asked Questions
The Blackboard Catalyst Awards is an annual customer recognition program that honors and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of our customers, who are committed to collaborating on best practices and providing exceptional educational experiences for learners around the world.
The Catalyst Awards program is open to active licensed customers of Blackboard software platforms from all regions. Higher education, K-12, business, and government institutions or organizations are eligible to participate. This program is voided where it is expressly prohibited by applicable law.
You can submit a nomination or application through our Catalyst Awards platform. Detailed instructions and requirements are provided for each category. Nominations sent via email or other channels will not be considered.
Participation in the Blackboard Catalyst Awards is completely free—no purchaser or entry fees are required.
The submission deadline for this year's program is March 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Late nominations will not be accepted unless an extension is announced.
You can nominate yourself, a colleague, or a team for one of our eight award categories.
Typical requirements include:
- A completed nomination form
- Supporting documents (e.g., work samples, media, portfolio items)
Yes, you can edit your submission until the deadline. After the deadline, no changes are allowed.
You will receive a confirmation email once your nomination is successfully submitted.
Eligible submissions will be evaluated by an internal cross-functional panel of judges who have significant experience and expertise in each category area.
Winners will be selected based on a scoring system that evaluates the category criteria, level of innovation, and the Catalyst Awards Rubric defined by Blackboard. Entrants can find more detailed information about the evaluation process in the Timeline and Submission Process section.
Winners and non-winners of the Catalyst Awards will be notified via email by the end of May and officially announced to the public in a press release no later than June 29, 2026.
Winners will be recognized at a special ceremony at our Building Blackboard Together user conference during which they will receive a Catalyst Awards trophy. Before the ceremony, winners also get a professionally crafted press kit, complete with a press release distributed to major media outlets. We will also share ready-to-use social media content and exclusive badges to proudly display on your social media profiles, email signatures, and on our community site, letting your network and industry peers celebrate your achievement. Additionally, we'll send a personalized congratulatory message to the leadership at your institution, further enhancing your recognition among your professional community.
Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. Winners will be notified by June, and arrangements will be made for those unable to attend to receive their award.
Yes, guests are welcome. Ticket information for our Building Blackboard Together user conference can be found on our website.
For any questions or assistance, contact us at CatalystAwards@anthology.com.
All rules and guidelines are available on our website at Catalyst Awards.
