Making a Difference Awards
07 Jan 2026
There’s still time to enter the 2026 Making a Difference Awards
The deadline is fast approaching, so make sure you enter or nominate someone for our Making a Difference Awards by Wednesday,14 January!
Each year we invite our University community to enter the Making a Difference Awards. We have nine categories to highlight the positive impact our staff, students, alumni and external partners are making to society and the environment. The Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate how we are making a huge difference to the lives of others. With a closing date of 14 January 2026, there is just one week to go before the deadline for entering the Awards. If you haven’t already, you can enter or nominate someone you know, to help gain recognition for the positive social responsibility achievements being made across our University.
Take inspiration from the previous winners, who found the recognition a powerful boost to continue tackling the issues they are passionate about, bringing increased attention and support to their projects.
Simon Reeds, Outreach and Engagement Manager at Manchester Cancer Research Centre and 2025 Award recipient, said: “Receiving the Making a Difference Award was an important recognition of not only what I have managed to achieve in my role, but what we are doing together across the MCRC and cancer research ecosystem. To have a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive research environment in Manchester, we all need see social responsibility as a core value, and something that everyone can achieve in their day-to-day work.
The Making A Difference Award shows that this work is not only understood within our local teams, but celebrated by the University as a whole. I am so grateful for the time, energy, and effort that all of my colleagues have given to the projects we have done together so far. This award gives us new impetus to continue our work together.”
All shortlisted nominees will be invited to a high-profile awards ceremony in May 2026 to receive their Award and celebrate their commitment and dedication. This ceremony also serves as a platform to raise awareness of your work, highlighting your remarkable achievements.
Important information
- Deadline for entries is 14 January 2026.
- Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by a third party.
- Individuals or teams can enter.
- Tips on how to write your entry.
- For more information, visit the Making a Difference Awards webpage.
- If you do not have access to an online entry form please email socialresponsibility@manchester.ac.uk or telephone 0161-306-3044
- Inspired to make a difference yourself this year? Our new fundraising and volunteering campaign, Challenge Accepted, encourages colleagues to use their three volunteer days to get out into the local community and make a difference - every action helps build momentum.