This is for eligible Safety For ALL Scholarship recipients who receive an annual renewable scholarship. 

This is the annual scholarship renewal form only. This is NOT a scholarship application. 

The Dotson Safety Leadership Award 

About the Award

The Dotson Safety Leadership Award recognizes one exceptional Certified Safety Professional under age 40 who is shaping the future of workplace safety through leadership, innovation, and ethical excellence. Established through the Kyle B. Dotson Endowment, this $10,000 award honors mid-career professionals making significant impact in the field. Recipients receive national recognition and access to NSC events and professional development opportunities.

 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Dotson Safety Leadership Award, candidates must:

• Be under age 40 as of January 1, 2026 

This award recognizes mid‑career professionals—established safety practitioners who have proven their impact and are ready to lead at the next level.

• Hold a valid BCSP Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential.
• Be a currently practicing Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professional. 
• Be employed in any sector except government
• Not currently serving on any NSC committees involved in award decisions.

Award Details

• $10,000 unrestricted financial award
• Recognition at the NSC Congress & Expo
• Featured in NSC communications and professional networks
• Ongoing  access to NSC learning and leadership opportunities

 Application Requirements

Candidates may not nominate themselves. Each application must include nominator contact information. Candidates must complete the online application form and upload the following materials:

a. Professional Experience and Credentials

• Updated  CV or résumé
• Confirmation  of BCSP credential in good standing 

b. Personal Statement (500–750 words)

• Describe your commitment to safety leadership and how you are advancing the field.
• Include examples of innovation, collaboration, and impact in your work.
• Include the most outstanding achievements of your safety career.

c. Leadership in the Profession

• Evidence of contributions to the safety community through:                         
  • Volunteerism
  • Outreach
  • Mentorship
  • Best  practice development

      

d. Recognition & Awards

• List  of professional honors, certifications, recognitions or milestones  relevant to safety.

e. Colleague Support (Three Required Letters of Recommendation)

Letters  must come from individuals who:

• Have direct professional knowledge of the applicant.
• One  of the three should be submitted by the nominator.

Nominator Guidance

When considering a potential nominee for the Dotson Safety Leadership Award, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• Self‑nominations are not permitted. Each application must include the nominator’s name and contact information.
• Three letters of  recommendation are required. The nominator is expected to      provide one of the three letters. Letters should come from individuals who can speak directly to the nominee’s leadership, character, and professional impact. 
• Nominators may inform and support the nominee in preparing the application. However, the nominee is responsible for completing and submitting the online application form and uploading all required materials.
• Strong nominations are focused, well‑organized, and meaningful. Submissions should emphasize the nominee’s leadership, contributions to safety, and ethical excellence—without excessive endorsements or unrelated content.
• Evidence of impact and leadership is important. When appropriate, nominators and nominees should reference clear examples, measurable outcomes, or indicators of growth within the safety profession.
• All applications must be submitted through the online portal with all required fields completed. Paper or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
• Nominators should not imply or guarantee selection. Final award decisions are made by the NSC review committee and selection panel.

 Extended Deadline: Final nominations must be submitted online by May 31 , 2026.

2026 NSC Advanced Safety Certificate (ASC) Scholarship--Certificate Assistance Program       A part of the National Safety Council (NSC) Scholarship program, the Certificate Assistance Program (CAP) helps support individuals on a safety career path obtain their NSC Advanced Safety Certificate ® (ASC).  Through the ASC program, NSC teaches best practices to those who are transitioning into a safety career or are currently in safety roles within their organization and need additional professional development to create a more proactive process for safety and health.       All submissions must be submitted in English and include a short bio and a photo. Incomplete applications will not be considered.   At this time, only candidates from the continental United States are eligible.         The application period ends Monday June 15, 2026. 

The Distinguished Service to Safety Award (DSSA) is the most prestigious award given to individuals by the National Safety Council in recognition of outstanding service and contribution in the field of safety. The NSC Awards Committee has established the following guidelines to facilitate the nomination process for this award program.
 

Scope: The DSSA is designed to reward those individuals who have had a sustained impact on safety on a local, national, or international scope. The nature of the contribution should reflect exceptional service resulting in more effective or increased levels of injury and/or illness prevention, or assistance in furtherance of those goals. This may also include advancement of safety theory and research.
 

Nominees:
     - Will be considered from members and nonmembers of NSC
     - Eligible nominees will have at least twenty years of experience in a safety related field
     - Active engagement in safety, either paid or unpaid, within the past five years
     - Retirees are eligible to be nominated, within two year of their retirement
 

Criteria:
     - Made impact on safety (international, national or local).  Impact can include affecting culture change around safety within an organization or locale; developing and implementing safety protocols previously lacking in an organization or industry; or public campaigns or advocacy with measurable success in affecting safety awareness and individual behavior.
     - Made significant and outstanding contributions to safety.  Contributions can include innovations, research, or other academic pursuits impacting safety.
 

Nominator Guidance: When considering a potential nominee, it is important to consider the following:
     - Self-nominations are not permitted
     - The nominator’s obligation to the nominee and the process includes preparing a professional nomination package. A nominator may inform and engage the nominee in preparing this.  
     - Powerful, successful nominations are crisp in form, clear, neat, organized and not encumbered with extraneous information and endorsements.
     - All nominations must be submitted through the online application with all required fields complete.  No other documents will be accepted in lieu of the online form.
     - Nominators must never assure a nominee that the award is theirs without the approval of the NSC Award Committee.
     - All eligible DSSA nominees must have at least one and no more than three letters of recommendation.
     - All criteria must be supported with metrics and appropriate documentation.

Deadline: Final nominations must be submitted online by March 31, 2026.

    To learn more about this award, click here.

To submit for this award, please log in and/or create a submittable.com account.  

Worker safety: Does your CEO “get it”?          

CEOs Who “Get It” is an annual recognition from the National Safety Council to who demonstrate a personal commitment to worker safety and health.

It doesn’t matter if your organization has 50 employees or 50,000: If you believe your leader should be recognized, fill out the nomination form and tell us why.

Forms submitted by Aug. 3, 2026, will be considered for 2027. Those recognized as CEOs Who “Get It” will be featured in the February 2027 issue of Safety+Health magazine.

Read about the 2026 CEOs Who “Get It” now.