Sifting and judging the AiG Awards
Nominations for the 7th annual Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards will open in September 2026.
Develop your skills, learn about some of the most interesting analysis work taking place across government, and support the Analysis Function by volunteering to help with sifting or judging nominations for the Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards.
Complete our short form to express an interest in sifting or judging or read on for more information
Sifting
The AiG Awards could not happen without sifters, who play an incredibly important role in the process of recognising and celebrating excellence in government analysis. Sifting is a great way to get an insider’s view on the type and range of government analysis work taking place today.
- Any member of the Analysis Function can apply to be a sifter
- We are keen to have representation from across the Analysis Function, so welcome analysts from all departments and professions, at any stage of their career
- Sifting nominations for awards is very similar to sifting applications for vacancies, so volunteering is a great way to build recruitment experience
Time commitments
- Sifting will take place from 28 October to 11 November 2026
- Each sifter will review around 20 nominations from only one or two award categories (please note the exact number of nominations assigned to each sifter may vary, depending on the number of nominations and sifters)
- Previous sifters have told us it takes “around a couple of hours” to sift your assigned nominations
Responding to feedback from previous years, sifters will now have two weeks to review nominations and return your scores and comments.
Reviewing nominations
- All nominations are reviewed by multiple sifters. Results will be collated and independently checked to establish a shortlist of around six nominations per category
- All nominations will be anonymised, with team and individual names removed
- No sifter will be asked to review a nomination from their own department
- More detailed information and guidance will be supplied directly to sifters by the Analysis Function Central Team. We will hold Microsoft Teams meeting sessions for sifters to attend and ask any questions about the process
Judging
The Analysis in Government Awards (AiG Awards) help to make sure that the very best in government analysis is recognised and celebrated. It is important that we have a judging panel who are both expert and experienced analysts.
We welcome senior leaders working in analysis at Grade 6 and above join our judging team. We are keen to have representation from across the Analysis Function, so welcome senior analysts from all departments and professions.
Time commitments
- Judging will take place from 23 November to 7 December 2026
- Each judge will review up to 12 shortlisted nominations from two award categories
- Previous judges have told us it takes “around a couple of hours” to review your assigned nominations
What’s involved
- Our sifters will create a shortlist of around six nominations for each category
- Each judge will review the shortlist for two award categories, meaning we’ll ask you to look at around 12 shortlisted nominations
- Judges will decide on a winner, a runner-up, and up to two highly commended nominations in each of our six award categories. You will not need to attend a group panel as judging takes place at an individual level
- All nominations are reviewed by multiple judges, with results collated and independently checked
- All nominations will be anonymised, with team and individual names removed
- No judge will be asked to review a nomination from their own department