Nominations have been opened for Jamaica’s 2026 National Honours and Awards, with the deadline set for Tuesday, March 31.

The annual awards, conferred on August 6, Independence Day, recognise individuals who have made meaningful and significant contributions to national life. Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora are encouraged to put forward nominees whose service has had a lasting impact on the country.

The honours are administered by the Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour within the Office of the Prime Minister under the National Honours and Awards (NHA) Act of July 1969.

Nomination forms and guidelines are available online via the Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour on the Office of the Prime Minister’s website at www.opm.gov.jm, or through Jamaican foreign missions overseas.

Completed forms may be submitted by email to [email protected] or mailed to The Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour, Office of the Prime Minister, 1 Devon Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica. 

All nominations remain confidential and must be accompanied by a current, concise biographical outline detailing the nominee’s achievements and service. In instances where a nominee is not a Jamaican citizen, the Government of Jamaica must first obtain approval from the relevant Commonwealth or foreign government before an Order of Decoration can be conferred. 

The National Honours and Awards framework recognises merit across several categories. Orders are granted for distinguished achievement and service, while Decorations and Awards acknowledge acts of bravery, long and valuable service, and good conduct. 

Individuals may be nominated for the Order of Merit (OM), the Order of Jamaica (OJ), and the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) or Officer (OD). Decorations and awards include the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BHG), the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BHM), and the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BHL). 

Only persons selected for an award will be contacted by the Chancery.