NII Awards™ is an independent, patriotic, non-partisan, national awards program presented by the America First Academy of Arts & Sciences™ (AFAAS™) and is not affiliated with any government entity or any official America 250 commission.

The Academy does not accept gifts, contributions, sponsorships, or other financial support from foreign governments. In addition, the Academy will not accept support from any individual or entity owned or controlled by, directed by, materially financed by, or acting on behalf of a country designated by the United States as a foreign adversary under 15 CFR § 791.4, as amended. The Academy reserves the right to decline any gift, contribution, sponsorship, or other support that could compromise, or reasonably create the appearance of compromising, its independence, institutional integrity, governance, reputation, or alignment with the national interest. 

The Academy intends to plan and conduct the NII Awards™ program in a manner consistent with applicable federal ethics laws, regulations, and guidance governing the participation of Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other public officials, including, where applicable, the widely attended event provisions of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate ethics rules. All invitations and participation by government officials remain subject to the ethics requirements and approvals applicable to their respective offices. Nothing in this policy is intended to supersede or modify the ethics obligations applicable to any invited public official or employee. 

The Academy maintains exclusive authority to issue or authorize invitations to Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, military leaders, and other government representatives for the NII Awards™ and related Academy programs. Founding Support Partners, participants, vendors, and other third parties may not independently extend invitations on behalf of the Academy or the NII Awards™. All government participation remains subject to the ethics requirements, review procedures, and approvals applicable to the invited individual’s office or agency.