How do I nominate?
The process is straightforward – fill in the below nomination form with the reasons you are choosing the student or young alumnus/a you would like to nominate.
In the nomination form, you will be asked to evidence how nominees show excellence in one or more of the following ways:
- Leading change – breaking down barriers and initiating new and innovative approaches to global challenges.
- Creating connections – creating new connections, locally or nationally, that could develop into international impact.
- Influencing others – aspiring to challenge norms and bring other leaders at all levels with them.
- Empowering others – recognising, supporting, and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, groups, or people.
- Advancing sustainability – positively influencing the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and influencing solutions for a more sustainable and / or climate-conscious future.
View the U21 Leaders of the Future Award criteria
Nominations for 2023 are now closed. They will reopen late 2024.
What are the Leaders of the Future Awards?
The ‘Leaders of the Future’ awards recognise current students or recent alumni whose early contributions are promising a bright future for them and for global collaboration.
Who can be nominated for a Leaders of the Future Award?
Nominees should be either current students or recent alumni who have graduated from a U21 member university within the last 10 years.
Nominees may have previously received local recognition as ‘student/alumni of the year’ or equivalent but that is not a requirement for nomination.
Self-nominations from current students or young alumni will not be accepted. All nominations must come from a member of the academic or professional services staff at a U21 member university.
If you would like to nominate a member of academic or professional staff, see our U21 Awards.
What happens after I submit a nomination?
Nominations are confidential, so we ask you not to contact the person you are nominating before you submit the form. After you have submitted the nomination form, we will send it to your institution’s U21 Senior Leader for approval. All approved nominations are then submitted to our judging panel for consideration.
We will notify nominees with a letter of recognition from the U21 Provost.
Thank you for taking the time to nominate someone for a U21 Leaders of the Future Award. Celebrating the successes of our members is so important and reminds us all how vital global collaboration is.