The clock is ticking! The 2026 National Quality Award Intent to Apply (ITA) is open, and the deadline is fast approaching: November 13, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET.
Submitting your ITA is a simple but powerful step that sets your team up for success. Those who complete the ITA unlock important benefits:
- Discounted application fee
- Exclusive reminders, resources, and tips throughout the year
- Access to webinars and support tools to guide your application process
Why Take the First Step?
Our newly released
Fast Facts highlight just how impactful the Quality Award program can be.
- Award recipients are 68% more likely to earn an Overall Five-Star Rating.
- They perform 13% better on safe use of off-label antipsychotics.
- They see an 8% improvement in reducing hospital readmissions.
- And they have lower RN turnover rates compared to non-recipients.
These numbers tell a bigger story: organizations that embark on the Quality Award journey don’t just gain recognition—they deliver better care, have stronger teams, and see measurable results.
Every Quality Award journey begins with a single step. For thousands of centers, that step started with an Intent to Apply.