Make their year: Celebrate your colleagues with a University award nomination
04 Dec 2025
The festive season is a perfect time to reflect on the exceptional contributions of colleagues and to nominate them for one of the University’s prestigious awards.
Following on from a successful Colleague Recognition Day last month where nearly 4000 thank you cards were sent, we’re now sharing the ways you can recognise colleagues who have made exceptional contributions to the University over the past year.
- Making a Difference Awards – deadline Wednesday 14 January
- Distinguished Achievement Awards – deadline Friday 6 February
- Rewarding Exceptional Performance – deadline Friday 13 February
Our 2025 Colleague Engagement Survey highlighted that only 46% of colleagues feel regularly recognised. Let’s change that. This is your chance to give back to those who inspire, support, and lead by example. So, please take the time this season to recognise the remarkable individuals who make Manchester exceptional.
Here’s a quick guide to the award schemes currently open for nominations:
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.
- Deadline for entries is Wednesday 14 January 2026
- Enter via the social responsibility website
Distinguished Achievement Awards
Each year, the President and Vice-Chancellor invites nominations to recognise the outstanding work of colleagues and teams across our University.
- Deadline for entries is Friday 6 February 2026
- The President and Vice-Chancellor will present the awards at a ceremony in The Whitworth Hall on 25 June 2026
- More information and make your nomination
Recognising Exceptional Performance (REP) Scheme
The annual Rewarding Exceptional Performance (REP) Scheme for colleagues will open for nominations on Monday 12 January and close on Friday 13 February.
Line managers can recognise colleagues, or teams, who have performed exceptionally for a one-off initiative or for sustained exceptional performance over six months.
Further information
- Recognition: For all the ways you can thank colleagues and recognise their contribution