Napolitan Victory Awards open 2026 nominations for political communicators worldwide

The Washington Academy of Political Arts and Sciences has opened nominations for the 2026 Napolitan Victory Awards, marking the program’s 15th anniversary and expanding recognition across more than 100 categories. The gala is set for Oct. 30-31 in Washington, D.C., ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

Why it matters: - The Napolitan Victory Awards have become a global benchmark for political communication, campaign strategy and creative political work. - The 2026 edition expands recognition across more than 100 categories, giving consultants, leaders and creatives a broader path to be recognized. - The gala lands in Washington, D.C., just before the U.S. midterm elections, when political messaging and campaign work are under a spotlight.

What happened: - The Washington Academy of Political Arts and Sciences® opened nominations for the Napolitan Victory Awards 2026. - The program is celebrating its 15th anniversary. - The awards cover political communication, political advertising, digital strategy, creative production, consulting, leadership and activism. - The nomination deadline is Aug. 15, 2026. - The gala is scheduled for Oct. 30-31, 2026, in Washington, D.C. - Full program details, category descriptions, rules and nomination forms are available in the official call for entries.

The details: - The Napolitan Victory Awards began in 2012 as a regional recognition focused on Latin America and Spain. - The program has grown into a global ceremony with winners from Brazil, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Ghana, Gabon, Haiti, Qatar, Mexico, the United States and more than 20 other countries. - The 2026 edition is described as the most significant structural evolution in the program’s history. - Mauricio Jaitt, president of the Washington Academy of Political Arts and Sciences, said the anniversary reflects the responsibility to honor professionals who have built careers in political communication. - Jaitt said winning a Napolitan means recognizing the professionalism and talent behind the work. - Joseph Napolitan, the awards’ namesake, is widely recognized as the father of modern political consulting. - The awards are presented annually by The Washington Academy of Political Arts and Sciences®. - The program says it receives nominations from about 30 countries. - The awards also recognize work in digital and technology media, the press corps, academic institutions, and leaders in freedom, democracy and political excellence.

Between the lines: - The shift from a regional prize to a global awards platform shows how political consulting and campaign communications have become more international and more competitive. - Moving the gala to the period just before U.S. midterms gives the event added relevance for practitioners watching campaign trends and strategic messaging. - The broad category list suggests the awards are trying to track how political influence now extends beyond campaigns into digital content, institutions and civic activism.

What's next: - Applicants have until Aug. 15, 2026, to submit nominations. - The Washington gala in late October will reveal this year’s winners and mark the program’s 15th anniversary. - The event’s timing suggests the 2026 winners may gain extra attention as the U.S. election cycle intensifies.

The bottom line: - The Napolitan Victory Awards are using their 15th year to cement a larger global role in political communication and creative strategy.