Make their year: Celebrate your colleagues with a University award nomination

Here’s a quick guide to the award schemes currently open for nominations: 

Distinguished Achievement Awards 

Each year, the President and Vice-Chancellor invites nominations to recognise the outstanding work of colleagues and teams across the University. 

Award categories include: 

• Professional Services and Cultural Institutions’ individuals and teams of the year. 

• Researchers of the Year 

• Postgraduate Researchers of the Year 

• Postgraduate Taught Students of the Year 

• Undergraduate Students of the Year 

• Teachers of the Year 

There is also a ‘General’ category for the truly exceptional times when other categories are not appropriate.  

• Deadline for entries is Friday 7 February, 2025. 

• The President and Vice-Chancellor will present the awards at a ceremony in The Whitworth Hall on Friday, 3 July 2025. 

• More information and make your nomination 

Making a Difference Awards (MAD) 

Recognising the positive impact of staff, students, and alumni, the MAD Awards celebrate those driving social responsibility and cultural change within and beyond the University. Consider nominating individuals or teams who have made a tangible difference to their communities. 

Our staff can be recognised in eight categories, including outstanding contributions to society through research, teaching innovation, public engagement, and widening participation.  

• Deadline for entries is 15 January 2025.  

• Enter via the social responsibility website.   

These prestigious accolades are awarded to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the University or wider society. Nominations are welcomed for individuals who embody the highest values of excellence, dedication, and impact.  

National Honours 

Help your colleagues receive wider recognition by nominating them for honours such as an OBE or MBE. This is a chance to spotlight individuals whose work has made a significant national or international difference.  

Nominations should highlight how the potential recipient has:  

• made a difference to their community or field of work; 

• brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation; 

• displayed moral courage and vision in making tough choices and hard applications; 

• improved the life chances of those less able to help themselves.  

Honorary Degrees  

Celebrate leaders in their fields or individuals with a deep connection to Manchester by nominating them for an honorary degree. These awards recognise exceptional contributions to academia, society, or culture.  

• You can submit nominations for the award of honorary degrees, the University Medal of Honour and national honours using the online nomination form. 

• If you would prefer to submit your nomination by email, please download a Word version of the nomination form and send it to the contact address given on the form. 

• The deadline for the submission of nominations is Friday, 7 February 2025. 

• More information on these awards can be found here. 

Recognising Exceptional Performance (REP) Scheme 

The annual Rewarding Exceptional Performance (REP) Scheme for colleagues will open for nominations on Monday, 6 January 2025 until Friday, 21 February 2025.  

REP is one of many opportunities whereby line managers can recognise colleagues, or teams, who have performed exceptionally for a one-off initiative or for sustained exceptional performance over six months.  

• Find out more information about REP here.