Groups, associations, organizations, municipalities or programs whose activities being recognized take place in rural Ontario. “Rural” includes communities with a population under 50,000. Amalgamated rural municipalities of small towns where the population may exceed 50,000 are eligible. Rural communities or municipalities co-operating in projects where the population exceeds 50,000 and there is a direct benefit to the rural municipality, are also eligible.

Successful nominees from the 6th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence program are not eligible to be nominated for the 7th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence.