> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help-empuls.xoxoday.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Approval-based awards > Learn how to set up awards that require one or more approval levels before being issued. Approval-based awards are best suited for high-value recognition linked to long-term goals. Nominations go through a defined review workflow before the award is issued to the recipient. ## Steps to create an approval-based award Go to the **Admin Dashboard** by clicking **Reports and Admin**, then navigate to **Programs > Awards & Core Values > Create Award**. Programs > Awards & Core Values > Create Award navigation in the Admin Dashboard Select **Award that needs approval** and click **Proceed**. > Best suited for high-value awards linked to long-term goals. Select this option when the award requires approval before being presented to the awardee. Award type selection screen with "Award that needs approval" option highlighted Fill in the **award name**, **description**, **image**, and **recipient type**, then click **Continue**. An award recipient can be an individual, a team, or kept flexible — letting the award presenter decide. Award details form with fields for name, description, image, and recipient type Choose whether to reward points or gift cards and merchandise. **For spot awards**, points can be: * **Fixed** — The same points every time; the presenter cannot modify. * **Range** — The Super Admin sets a min/max range; the presenter allocates within it. Reward configuration showing Fixed and Range point options **For team rewards**, distribute configured points equally among all team members, or give each recipient the full configured points independently. Team reward distribution options showing equal split or independent allocation **Attach Certificate** — Attach a certificate template to your award. Certificates are configurable and automatically populate with the awardee's details. See [Add certificates to awards](/admin/programs/awards/add-certificates-to-awards) for detailed steps. Attach Certificate option in the award reward configuration step **Add Products from the Store** — Reward employees with merchandise and gift cards instead of points. See [Set up product-based rewards](/admin/programs/awards/set-up-product-based-rewards) for detailed steps. Add Products from the Store screen showing available collections Select collection or create new collection screen Restrict nominations to specific groups by setting constraints on who can nominate, who can be nominated, and who can approve. Nominee, nominator, and approver eligibility configuration panel Advanced eligibility filter settings for nominator and nominee constraints **Example 1 — Jerry Maguire Award** Your company has a Sales award for the best performer. Nominations are submitted by first-line managers and require VP of Sales approval. Jerry Maguire award eligibility configuration example with Sales department filters **Example 2 — Herman Boone Award** An award for excellence among people managers. All employees except VPs are eligible to be nominated. Anyone in the organisation can nominate, and final approval rests with either the CEO or the COO. Herman Boone award eligibility configuration example with VP exclusion and CEO/COO approvers Use **OR** when matching any one clause is sufficient for eligibility. Use **AND** when all clauses must match. Click the **pencil icon** next to the Approver Selection card. Choose between: * **Anyone** — Any user can approve the award. Approver Selection screen with the Anyone option selected * **Specific User** — Define one or more specific approvers. Use filters to select the approver type and add multiple approval levels. Approver Selection screen with Specific User option and approver type filters To add automatic approval, check **Set to Auto-Approve**. The selected approver is automatically assigned whenever an award is triggered, and all nominations reaching that level are automatically approved — provided the approver has sufficient budget. If an approver marked for Auto-Approval does not have sufficient budget, all Super Admins receive an email notification that the nomination is in a pending state. To add more approvers, click **Add Second Level Approver**. Add Second Level Approver button and multi-level approver configuration To remove an approver, click the red **Remove** button. Once done, click **Save and Continue**. Remove approver button in red and Save and Continue action **A. Set Questions for Nominator** — Create up to 20 questions (multiple-choice or short text) that nominators must answer. If a text-based question is mandatory, you can also mark an attachment as mandatory. Set Questions for Nominator with multiple-choice and short text question types **B. Citation Input** — When a mandatory public question is added, you can skip the separate citation input. Citation Input setting showing the option to skip citation when a mandatory public question is present **C. Nomination Validity** — Set a validity period after which open nominations are automatically declined. Nomination Validity setting with period configuration **D. Self Nomination** — When enabled, allows a nominator to nominate themselves. Self Nomination toggle in advanced award settings **E. Notify Stakeholders** — Specify who is notified when the award is given (manager, HRBP, department head, etc.). Notify Stakeholders configuration with relation options **F. Announcement and Feed Controls** * **Award Visibility** — Post publicly on the feed, or keep private (only sender and receiver can see it). You can also allow nominators/approvers to control visibility at the time of giving. Award Visibility set to private — only sender and receiver are notified Award Visibility set to public with option to allow nominators to control visibility * **Information Disclosed** — Choose whether to show the Award Giver, Citation by Nominator, and Award Name and Icon on the feed. Information Disclosed checkboxes for Award Giver, Citation, and Award Name and Icon * **Privacy Control**: * **Centrally** — Award is posted publicly and visible to all group members. * **Public** — Visible to all members of the group where recognition is posted. * **Private** — Only the nominator and nominee can see the award feed. * **By Nominator/Approver** — Privacy is set by the nominator or approver at time of giving. * **Team Size** — Minimum 1, maximum 50 members. Privacy Control and Team Size settings in advanced award configuration Click **Confirm and Create** to complete the award setup. The awardee's teammates are notified by email to crowdsource wishes for the award recipient.