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Latin America Leadership Program

Professor Ricardo Ernst posing with GCL Impact Award Winners, Allison Silva, Kenneth Gent and Jenifer Colpas

GCL Impact Award

The GCL Impact Award was created by Georgetown University's Latin American Board and the LALP Advisory Committee (formerly known as the GCL Advisory Committee) to recognize Global Competitiveness Leadership  (GCL) program alumni who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the GCL program multiplier effect in the Latin American region.

Significance of the GCL Impact Award:

Along with the ILG Impact Award, this annual recognition represents the highest recognition LALP grants to alumni of its programs. Honor and responsibility converge in this award, as alumni winners become role models of responsible and transformational leadership for current and future generations of LALP alumni, serving as the region's primary ambassadors of LALP programs. Other GCL alumni recognitions include the GCL Seal, a certificate of excellence for projects led by GCL alumni that develop sustainable solutions and have a multiplier impact for the region. 

Goals:

The purpose of this annual call is trifold: 

  • Identify and disseminate innovative social, public, and private impact practices led by GCL alumni that respond to a pressing challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Contribute to the exchange of experiences, capacity building, and visibility of the significant contributions made by LALP alumni to the region.
  • Strengthen the ties between LALP alumni networks and Georgetown University.

Award Benefits:

Awardees receive the following benefits: 

  • ​Flight in economy class and up to three nights of accommodation in Washington, DC, to present the project and receive the award during the last week of the GCL program when the program is implemented face-to-face. In 2026, the winners will receive the award during the celebration of LALP’s 20th anniversary.
  • Award ceremony and special mention on the LALP website and social media channels.
  • A one-year membership in the LALP Advisory Committee that allows the winner to participate in the two annual meetings of the LALP Advisory Committee, contributing their ideas for the alumni network and the development of future programs.
  • A glass pinnacle with their name and year of award commemorating this award.

How to Submit Nominations: 

  1. ​Access the call at LALP Melian with your LALP ALUMNI credentials to submit your nomination or nominate other GCL alumni for this award.
  2. Select the news GCL Impact Award and click on "Apply Now".

If you have any questions or need help accessing the platform, please contact the Latin America Leadership Program team at lalp@georgetown.edu. 

Dates:

The 2026 GCL Impact Award application dates are as follows:

  • January 12 to February 1, 2026 @11:59 pm: Open Call for Nominations
  • February 2 to 9, 2026: Review of applications by the selection committee, made up of members of Georgetown University Latin America Leadership Program, the LALP Advisory Committee, and the GCL Alumni Executive Board, to select 3 top candidates.
  • February 9 @5 pm until February 12 @5 pm: GCL alumni vote for their preferred candidate.
  • February 26, 2026: Public Announcement on LALP website/newsletter

GCL Impact Award Evaluation Criteria:

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria: 

Personal Leadership - Assesses vision, initiative, ethical leadership, and the ability to mobilize others, navigate challenges, and drive meaningful change within their community or field.

Project relevance and maturity - Evaluates the relevance of the solution to the community and region, as well as the project's level of development, sustainability, and execution.

Innovation- Evaluates originality, creativity, and the degree to which the project introduces new approaches or adapts existing ones effectively.

Impact and Multiplier Effect- Measures the scope, depth, breadth, and significance of the project’s outcomes. Assesses the project’s ability to influence, inspire, scale, or be replicated beyond its immediate scope.

Partnerships- Evaluates the extent to which collaborations with organizations, communities, institutions, or stakeholders enhance project effectiveness, sustainability, and impact, including evidence of shared ownership and mutual benefit.

Connection to the GCL Alumni Network- Evaluates engagement with and contribution to the GCL alumni community.

Selection Committee:

The applications will be evaluated by a committee composed of representatives from the LALP Advisory Committee and the Latin America Leadership Program, with the support of the Board of Directors of the GCL Alumni Network, to select three finalist candidates. GCL alumni will then have three days to vote for their preferred candidate from this shortlist of finalists.

GCL Impact Award Winners include: