The Environmental Sustainability Champion Award recognises an alum whose innovative work, projects  or actions have made a significant impact on addressing sustainability challenges. Nominations must demonstrate that the alum has worked hard to implement an environmental  sustainability project/initiative and that their involvement has made a positive impact locally, nationally or internationally. Such achievements may include: engaging peers in campaigns to widen awareness of and address sustainability issues; improving environments to support the health and wellbeing of others; implementing initiatives to address one of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognises an alum of the  University of York who has made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and career has honoured the legacy of excellence at the University. This award recognises a sustained achievement over a long career. Nominees must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• A lifetime of outstanding contributions and achievement in one or more fields of endeavour

• Be recognised within their community or field as a strong leader

• Be an exemplary role model

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Award recognises and celebrates an alum who has demonstrated outstanding impact in health, wellbeing. Perhaps they have driven public mental health initiatives, contributed to cutting-edge mental health research, or been recognised as an exceptional mental health practitioner. Perhaps they have created initiatives to improve mental health in their organisation or community. Nominations must clearly outline the scope and impact of the initiative or work that the alum has undertaken, as well as their involvement in it.

The Culture and Creativity Award recognises an alum for their outstanding contribution to culture and creativity, who continues to make a positive impact on the wider community, nationally or internationally. Nominees must meet all the following eligibility criteria: Demonstrates an outstanding contribution to culture and creativity. Demonstrates a significant positive impact that has been felt by many – locally, nationally and/or internationally. Demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include through culture, volunteerism, or community and professional work. Has achieved sustained success over their career through culture and creativity that is noteworthy and exceptional.

The Alumni Rising Star Award recognises recent alumni (graduated five years ago or less at the nomination deadline) whose early accomplishments inspire and provide leadership to students and alumni. Nominees must meet all the following eligibility criteria: Work, whether professional or volunteer, demonstrates a significant positive impact that has been felt by many – locally, nationally and/or internationally. Their accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession. Demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteerism, or community work or through their profession. Work and/or contribution in their community inspires action, emotion or a response in others.

The Alumni Volunteer Award recognises those York alumni who have made a significant contribution to the wider University of York community through their commitment to volunteering for the University of York. Nominees must meet all the following eligibility criteria: Has contributed a significant amount of time and effort to volunteering for the benefit of the University, current students and their fellow alumni. Has demonstrated sustained and outstanding impact through their volunteering actions. Has supported the University’s commitment to volunteering through gifts of time.

The Global Community Award recognises and honours the outstanding achievements of an international alum who has realised distinction in their chosen field and whose accomplishments enhance the prestige of the University of York. Nominees must meet all the following eligibility criteria: Work, whether professional or volunteer, demonstrates a significant positive impact that has been felt by many – in their home country and/or internationally. Has achieved sustained success over their career that is noteworthy and exceptional. Their accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession. Demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteerism, or community work or through their profession. Demonstrates the ability to influence decisions within a variety of contexts; for example, within government, industry or through advocacy efforts. The nominee must have enrolled to study at the University of York as an international student and be currently residing overseas.

The University of Opportunity is a new philanthropic initiative launched in 2024. It encompasses our big ambition to be the university of opportunity in the UK, where there are no gaps to access, success, award and progression for any student regardless of their circumstance. A place where every student knows they belong. 

The Opportunity Champion Award is open to all alumni whose work and ethos reflects and supports this ambition. It recognises and honours an alum whose outstanding contribution to creating opportunity has promoted positive attitudes towards access, success and progression in their chosen field or career, and who has helped to ensure that everyone can thrive by embracing their differences, rather than being disadvantaged because of them. Nominees must meet all the following eligibility criteria: 

• Demonstrates an outstanding contribution to equality of opportunity, showing how their work has promoted positive attitudes and influenced positive change
• Work, whether professional or volunteer, demonstrates a significant positive impact on improving equality of opportunity
• Their role, work and/or contribution in their community raises awareness of issues concerning equality of opportunity and inspires action, emotion or a positive response in others

1. An alum cannot win more than one award category in any calendar year and cannot win the same award category more than once. 
2. Awards will not be awarded posthumously. 
3. Joint nominations will be accepted, for example for volunteering groups.
4. Self-nominations will be accepted. 
5. Nominations will be accepted for alumni of the University of York.
6. Current members of the University Executive Board, Senate and Council are not eligible to be nominated in any award category. 
7. Nominators are responsible for ensuring that they have written permission from the nominee, and proof of this must be included at the time of nomination.
8. Current students are not eligible to be nominated in any award category unless they are also alumni of the University of York.
9. The selection panel’s decision is final on all matters relating to the nomination process and the selection of award recipients; no correspondence will be entered into. 
10. The selection panel reserves the right to select nominations to remain valid for up to two years. Nominators will be responsible for updating additional information. 
11. The selection panel reserves the right not to allocate an award in one of the categories if, in their opinion, there are no entries of sufficient merit. The number of awards allocated in each category will be at the discretion of the selection panel. 
12. The University reserves the right to disclose the identity of the nominator to the nominee.
13. Personal information submitted to the University by the nominator or nominee, in connection with the awards, will be given to the selection panel for the purpose of judging the awards and will be stored in the University’s alumni database, Raisers Edge/ NXT.
14. Personal information submitted to the University by the nominator or nominee, in connection with the awards, will be given to the selection panel for the purpose of judging the awards and will be stored in the University’s alumni database, Raisers Edge/ NXT.
15. Award recipients will be announced online in University of York publications and on social media.