Research & Innovation Services

The Champion Spin-out Award is celebrating high-performing commercial or social enterprise spin-outs from the University of Glasgow.

We are seeking applications from commercial or social enterprise spin-outs with major contributions from University of Glasgow staff in the underpinning research, development of the spin-out and continuous active involvement.

Submit your application to the Champion Spin-out Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Champion Spin-out Award application (word document).

Note: Please complete the application form in a way that can be understood by a non-specialist audience following the evaluation criteria. Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts*. You may also attach evidence and/or anticipated evidence of your impact/innovation as part of your application package.

*For this award category, we will ask any external assessors to sign non-disclosure agreements, to cover any confidentiality concerns.

The Champion Student Start-up Award is celebrating disruptive commercial or social enterprises established by University of Glasgow students, who are currently enrolled at the University of Glasgow or graduated in 2025.

We are seeking applications from all commercial or social enterprise student start-ups, which have been active within the last 18 months.

Submit your application to the Champion Student Start-up Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Champion Student Start-up Award application (word document).

Note: Please complete the application form in a way that can be understood by a non-specialist audience following the evaluation criteria. Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. You may also attach evidence and/or anticipated evidence of your impact/innovation as part of your application package.

The Glasgow Changing Futures Award recognises projects that embody the spirit of Glasgow Changing Futures. It recognises collaborative teams – cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral – that have made meaningful contributions with impact or potential for impact in areas of sustainability and net zero; societal and health inequalities; or other global/societal challenges.

Projects/Teams applying for this award should demonstrate constructive and successful knowledge exchange, co-creation, development and delivery strategies and processes with partner(s) from any sector.

Submit your application to the Glasgow Changing Futures (GCF) Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm. 

Offline reference for drafting GCF Award application (word document).

Note: Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. Panels will evaluate applications according to the fulfilment of criteria outlined above. 

The Positive Contribution to Place-making award recognises projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives within a defined community – whether local, such as within the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID), or further afield – and underpinned by a collaborative approach to placemaking. This prize category is intended to recognise Community–University partnership activities that are rooted in this placemaking ethos and demonstrate a positive impact.

Submit your application to the Positive Contribution to Place-Making Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Place-making Award application (word document).

Note: Applications should be made with the full knowledge and support of any community partners involved. Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form.  Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. Panels will evaluate applications according to the fulfilment of criteria outlined above. 

This award recognises professional services individuals or teams who have played a pivotal role in the success of a knowledge exchange or innovation project. It is open to all professional services staff at any grade.

This award celebrates the knowledge exchange and innovation “enablers” who have helped research achieve real-world impact. Applications should clearly demonstrate the tangible contribution that the nominee(s) has made to a project’s impact, for example provision of specialist advice that was critical to success; facilitating partnerships and collaborations; advising on or implementing good practice; or other forms of professional support or interventions that have contributed significantly to the project’s outcomes.

We recommend that this form be completed by a nominator rather than the nominated individual or team. Testimonials from researchers or external partners are encouraged, particularly where they illustrate the outcomes and impact of the nominee’s contribution.

Submit nominations to the Professional Impact Enabler Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Professional Impact Enabler nomination (word document).

Note: Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. Panels will evaluate applications according to the fulfilment of criteria outlined above. 

This award responds to the need for recognition for research staff members considered to be at an early stage in their research independence and academic career but who demonstrate a consistent pattern of engagement, knowledge exchange, communication and collaboration with groups or individuals beyond the University. This award seeks to draw attention to the outstanding achievements and contributions of emerging talents fostered at Glasgow who are an inspiration for future project leads and are expected to continue growing in their Knowledge Exchange and Impact journeys.

Please note that Rising Star nominations are submitted by the Colleges. One award is made per College. This is not an open call.

Submit nominations to the Rising Star Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Rising Star Award nomination (word document).

Note: Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. Panels will evaluate applications according to the fulfilment of criteria outlined above. 

This award responds to the need for recognition for accomplished, long-term staff who have significant track records over time delivering meaningful impacts in the area of Innovation (across the impact spectrum of technological to policy to creative practice or social innovations). It recognises their development of innovative solutions and long-term positive impacts that improve lives, contribute to prosperity and address community needs. Simultaneously, this award seeks to not only convey recognition and celebrate exemplars, but to also incentivise other researchers to engage -- to be innovative, to exchange knowledge and collaborate with external partners, and to generate impacts. One, maximum two researchers will be recognised per year.

Please note that Lifetime Innovator nominations will be submitted by the Colleges, this is not an open call.

Submit nominations to the Lifetime Innovator Award by January 9th 2026 at 5pm.

Offline reference for drafting Lifetime Innovator Award nomination (word document).

Note: Please make sure that your application is complete before submitting it via the online form. Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, spanning expertise from different sectors across Colleges, University Services and industry experts. Panels will evaluate applications according to the fulfilment of criteria outlined above.