National Inclusion Awards ©: Nomination & Process Guide

Welcome to the official nomination guide for the Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC) National Inclusion Awards ©.

This guide outlines the specific requirements, routes, and evidence needed to submit a nomination for each of the four distinct categories.

Core Nomination Rules

Before preparing your submission, please note our core entry requirements:

• Individual Awards: Self-nomination is not permitted. All individual awards require a Proposer and a Seconder. Both must clearly outline the extent of the nominee’s activism in any area of EDI and must also provide robust evidence of their change impacts.
• Organisational Awards: Self-nomination is fully permissible and encouraged.

Nomination Requirements by Category

1. Pro-Chancellor Inclusion Medallion

• This internal award recognises outstanding contributions to the IEUC.
• Who can be nominated: IEUC Staff and Learners.
• Nomination Route: Proposed and Seconded (No self-nomination).
• Submission Requirements:
• For Staff: The Proposer and Seconder must provide evidence of a single meritorious and/or ongoing contribution to the Institute over a minimum of 5 years.
• For Learners: Nominations must highlight outstanding academic performance as judged by tutors or on the basis of a compelling Impact Case Study as judged by programme External Examiners. Evidence requirements: impact on organisational people, culture & behaviours, and systems, policies and processes.

2. Social Justice Leadership Award

This national award celebrates individuals who drive systemic or grassroots change. It features two distinct nomination routes. Proposers must clearly state which route the nominee is being recommended for. Individuals cannot be awarded in both categories.

• Who can be nominated: Individuals across all sectors (Education, Public Sector, Charities, Health, Faith & Religion, Uniformed Services, etc.).
• Nomination Route: Proposed and Seconded (No self-nomination).
• Submission Requirements:
• Route A (Grassroots/Individual): Evidence demonstrating how the nominee has advanced social justice through personal acts or grassroots initiatives, regardless of whether they hold a formal organisational leadership role. Evidence requirements: impact on organisational people, culture & behaviours, and systems, policies and processes.
• Route B (Organisational Leaders): Evidence of sustained impact in leading and executing structural EDI change within or beyond an organisational context. Evidence requirements: impact on organisational people, culture & behaviours, and systems, policies and processes.

3. Organisational Impact Award for Inclusion

This award celebrates whole organisations that have systematically improved their EDI ecosystem over a period of 5+ years.

• Who can be nominated: Entire organisations across all sectors.
• Nomination Route: Self-nomination is permissible, or organisations can be nominated by external partners.
• Submission Requirements:
  Mandatory Evidence Framework: To be considered, the submission must explicitly set out clear evidence of measurable change impacts across the following three pillars:
1. Culture and Behaviours: Evidence of shifting workplace dynamics, improved inclusivity metrics, and behavioural changes.
2. Individual and Organisational Learning: Evidence of training efficacy, institutional knowledge growth, and ongoing EDI development.
3. Systems, Policy, and Processes: Evidence of structural overhaul in recruitment, retention, promotion, or operational policies.
• Desirable Criteria: Evidence showing that these change impacts have extended beyond the single organisational context to influence wider industry practices or communities will be highly regarded by the judging panel.

4. Lifetime Achievement Award

Our highest individual honour for a lifetime of dedicated activism.

• Who can be nominated: Individuals with a legacy of national impact.
• Nomination Route: Proposed and Seconded (No self-nomination).
• Submission Requirements: The Proposer and Seconder must provide a comprehensive portfolio showing a demonstrable and sustained contribution to social justice in organisations and public life over a period of 25+ years. Evidence must confirm that the impact of their work is recognised across multiple organisational contexts or at a national level.

Nomination criteria summary process

Note: The National Inclusion Awards © are presented for verifiable impact arising from activities, and will not be awarded on the basis of ‘activities’ only.

Step-by-Step Step Process Guide

To submit a nomination, please follow the official IEUC process mapped out below:

• Step 1: Download Form
• Step 2: Collate Evidence
• Step 3: Secure Sign-off
• Step 4: Email to: admin@instituteforequity.ac.uk

Step 1: Select Your Category & Download Forms

Visit the IEUC Awards page and download the pack form. Ensure you specify whether you are nominating an individual or an organisation.

Step 2: Collate Your Evidence

• For Individuals: Proposers and Seconders should collaborate to draft a statement detailing the nominee’s activism, accompanied by qualitative or quantitative evidence of their change impact.
• For Organisations: Complete the self-nomination template, making sure to provide distinct data, case studies, or narratives for all three mandatory pillars (Culture, Learning, and Systems).

Step 3: Secure Endorsements and Sign-off

• Individual Routes: Ensure both the Proposer and Seconder sign the final document and provide their full professional contact details.
• Organisational Route: Ensure the submission is signed off by a member of the executive leadership team (e.g.: CEO, HR Director, or Board Chair).

Step 4: Final Submission and deadlines

Submit the completed nomination pack via the IEUC Awards page before the advertised deadline. All submissions for the national awards must be received no later than 31st July each year (unless otherwise advised).

For any questions regarding eligibility, or to request the forms in an alternative format, please contact the IEUC Awards Team at: admin@instituteforequity.ac.uk.