The City on a Cloud Innovation Challenge, a new global program by Amazon Web Services, recognizes local governments and application developers that are innovating for the benefit of citizens using the AWS Cloud. Throughout 2014, AWS and a panel of worldwide experts from organizations driving local government innovation will select 10 grand prize winners in three award categories: Best Practices, Partners in Innovation, and Cloud Visionaries.

Three AWS local government projects will be awarded the Best Practices Award, receiving $50,000 in AWS credits each: one for a local government serving up to 50,000 people, one for a mid-sized local government serving between 50,001 and 250,000 people, and one for a large local government serving over 250,000 people. 

The judging criteria for the award includes uniqueness of the approach to the problem being solved; measurable impact of that approach for citizens; and potential to help other local or regional governments solve a similar problem. Applications are due May 12, 2014.