The William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education honors individuals and organizations whose exceptional and sustained contributions have advanced security and defense education, strengthened professional communities, and helped build a more secure and cooperative Western Hemisphere.
Across the Americas, dedicated leaders in government, the military, academia, and civil society work tirelessly to address complex and evolving security and defense challenges. Their contributions, through education, research, outreach, professional development, and institutional leadership, help expand knowledge, foster dialogue and cooperation, and strengthen the capacity of institutions and professionals to meet shared challenges.
The Perry Award recognizes those whose achievements exemplify this enduring commitment. Awardees have demonstrated distinction in their fields and made meaningful, sustained contributions to one or more of the following:
Through their leadership, service, and commitment to professional excellence, Perry Award recipients embody the spirit of Secretary Perry and the Perry Center’s mission to foster a strong, connected, and capable security and defense community across the Western Hemisphere.
Nominations for the William J. Perry Award are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. The Perry Center welcomes nominations of distinguished individuals and organizations whose sustained contributions reflect the values and mission of the Center and have made a meaningful impact on security and defense education and cooperation in the Americas.
Nominations may be submitted at any time and will be accepted on an ongoing basis. The Perry Center encourages members of the security and defense community, academic institutions, government and military organizations, and civil society to nominate deserving individuals and organizations whose accomplishments merit recognition.
We invite you to help us recognize those whose leadership, scholarship, service, and dedication are strengthening the security and defense community of the Western Hemisphere.
Nominations for the 2027 Perry Award will be accepted through June 18, 2027. Nominations received after this date will be considered for the following year.
