In an effort to honor public sector organizations that develop creative and unique solutions to problems facing their agency or industry, DePaul University’s Government Assistance Program (GAP) is teaming up with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation once again to present the 2004 Public Innovator Awards.

Applications are now being accepted for consideration in the following three categories: physical design, e-governance and capacity-building. Winning projects will demonstrate enhanced service, resolution of agency issues and measurable benefits to the organization or community. The chosen recipients will serve as best-practice examples for other agencies in Illinois and the nation.

This year’s competition features a new, two-tiered award system. In Tier 1, for larger projects, winning teams in the three categories will receive $5,000 each. Tier 2 will honor projects that are smaller in scope and budget, but equally innovative. Winning organizations in Tier 2 will receive $1,500 each. Tiers will be assigned to entries by the selection committee after all applications are received. Award funds must be applied toward public awareness, education, funding a new staff member or consultant for a new project, or to purchase project-related equipment and materials.

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation was founded in 1983 and supports the arts, architecture and design, and economic opportunity. It also encourages and celebrates efforts to enable government to be more accountable to its citizens and workers. Established in 1989, GAP works to develop innovative partnerships with government agencies to strengthen their capacity to deliver excellent service to the public.

Applications are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Sept. 7 and can be downloaded online along with the contest rules at http://www.depaul.edu/~gapweb. For more information on the awards or contest guidelines, please call Kristen Roberts at (312) 362-8438.

DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the nation and the seventh-largest private university in the United States. A richly diverse population of 23,610 students attends classes on two city and five suburban campuses.