The Middle Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and honors a classroom teacher from the middle level (5-8) who has demonstrated exceptional abilities as a social studies teacher.

The Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and honors one classroom teacher, grades 7-12, who have demonstrated exceptional abilities as social studies teachers

The Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and honors one K-6 classroom teacher who has demonstrated exceptional ability as a social studies teacher, as measured by the announced criteria.

The Jean Dresden Grambs Distinguished Career Research Award recognizes professionals who have made extensive contributions to knowledge concerning significant areas of social studies education through meritorious research.

The Larry Metcalf Exemplary Dissertation Award recognizes and honors a recent doctoral candidate for exemplary dissertation research in areas related to the social studies.

The NCSS Exemplary Research Award recognizes scholarship with the potential to significantly impact and/or transform social studies education research and practice.

The Christa McAuliffe Reach for the Stars Award was established to help classroom teachers "reach for the stars" and achieve a dream that under ordinary circumstances would not be fulfilled.

The 1787 Prize Contest recognizes the best annual student essay on the subject of the U.S. Constitution’s past, present and future relevance by exploring how our written principles align with this vision of citizen engagement. 

The NCSS Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy recognizes programs that enhance the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district, or statewide levels.

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The Award for Global Understanding Given in Honor of James M. Becker recognizes notable contributions in helping social studies students increase their understanding of the world.

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The NCSS Outstanding Service Award recognizes and honors one or more NCSS members for outstanding long-term service to NCSS and a local, state, and regional council.

The Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Awards are a collaboration between NCSS and the Kaur Foundation and recognize Cultural Literacy, DEI Instructional Innovation, and Religious Literacy.

The Carter G. Woodson Book Awards encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social science books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and relations sensitively and accurately.

The Pauli Murray Book Awards encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books that provide insight into experiences and historical events representing diverse gender expressions and gender identities.

The NCSS Awards Subcommittees review nominations and select recipients of NCSS awards and grants. Subcommittee members serve a three-year term and most committee work is accomplished online, by video conference, and phone.

The NSSLA Mel Miller Social Studies Leader Award recognizes NSSLA members who best exemplify the leadership qualities of a social studies professional.

The CUFA Early Career Award recognizes a significant impact on the field of social studies education made by a scholar in the early stages of their career.

The CUFA Kipchoge Neftali Kirkland Social Justice (KSJ) Award recognizes an exemplary paper presented at the CUFA Annual Meeting that makes a distinguished and significant contribution to promoting social justice in educational research and teaching.

The CUFA National Technology Leadership Initiative (NTLI) Fellowship Award recognizes an exemplary paper related to technology in social studies education presented at the CUFA Annual Meeting.