The NIPHLE Design Awards are presented each spring at the annual NIPHLE national training to people who have made outstanding contributions to government and industry packaging design. The 2026 NIPHLE Annual Training will take place in Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, from 05-07 May 2026, and the awards will be presented during the NIPHLE Annual Awards Banquet on 06 May 2026. Recipients may be from either government or industry.

 

Nominations must state the category in which the nominee is to be judged and include the name, address, phone number, employer, and the position title of both the nominee and the nominator.  Sufficient detailed information about the nominee’s design must be provided to allow the judges to score the design package without additional research to obtain information about the type and value of their design.

 

Anyone except members of the design committee may submit a nomination.  Any individual in the packaging, materials handling, or logistics field may be nominated, whether or not they are a member of NIPHLE.  Judging is based solely on the nominee’s design package. The submitted design should have been completed sometime in 2025.  Awards are given to the first, second, and third-place packages. Regardless of category, the overall best nomination package will be awarded the Lapidus Trophy (Best in Show) rather than 1st place for the best overall design submitted.  Nominations should exceed eight pages (including photos). Winners may display their package at the NIPHLE training.  Logistics costs for each category will be the organization's responsibility.

NIPHLE design awards categories:

 

• Long-Life Packaging

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• Short-Life Packaging

 

• Material Handling Device

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NIPHLE Awards packages must be submitted electronically to Ms. Jennifer Smith, jensmith6363@gmail.com.

 

The deadline for receipt of the package submission is 27 February 2026.