Home Get involved Making a Difference Awards Who can enter?

Who can enter?

All University of Manchester colleagues and students who are currently working or studying at the University are eligible to enter or nominate. You can apply yourself or nominate someone else.

Individuals or teams can enter or be nominated.

Alumni entries

Alumni can enter in the Challenge Accepted: Outstanding alumni contribution to tackling society’s biggest challenges category.

External partner entries

Colleagues, students or community partners (working in association with colleagues/students) can enter the Outstanding public engagement category. Community partners must be nominated by a current member of staff or a student at the University of Manchester.

Community partners may include public/patient contributors, residents, community members, creatives or partner organisations in the public, private and third sector.

Further details can be found under each specific award category.

How to enter

Please note:

  • Entrants are asked to submit only one entry for a specific project or initiative per category. Submitting multiple entries into one category will not provide any advantage. 
  • Entrants are able to submit entries for different projects or initiatives in different categories.
  • If numerous entries for the same project or initiative are entered, only one entry per category/per initiative will be assessed. 
  • By submitting an entry form, you are agreeing for any information about your initiative to be used by the University in publicity materials.
  • To review the questions on the entry form before completing it, please see the Word template form. NB: Please do not use the Word document to submit your entry, please use the online entry form.
  • The Volunteer of the Year Awards are open to students. Entries are submitted through a separate entry process which will open in early 2027.
  • The deadline for entries is midnight on 12 January 2027.

    For more information visit the full guidelines page.

    What happens next?

    Entries will be assessed by a judging panel in February 2027. All shortlisted entries will be informed by the end of March 2027. Shortlisted entries will be profiled on the University website and will be invited to a special awards ceremony in May 2027.

    The 2027 awards ceremony will take place on 6 May 2027 in the University’s Whitworth Hall, and will be hosted by The University of Manchester’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.

    Winners and highly commended entrants will be presented with their Awards at the Awards ceremony.