Nomination guidelines

Katherine Bennell-Pegg in her blue space jumpsuit in the Nanotech Building observatory, looking through the open top to a sliver of blue sky. — Katherine Bennell-Pegg, astronaut and winner of the 2024 Alumni Award for International Achievement.

Submitting an Alumni Awards nomination

Check the award categories and eligibility criteria

The six Alumni Achievement Awards and six Graduate Medals each have their own selection criteria. Make sure you review the award category pages and choose the most relevant award for your nominee.

Eligibility criteria

Nominations must come from a third party (we don't accept self-nominations).
Nominations must be for individuals, with the exception of the Medal for Innovation, which can be awarded to an individual or group. (Note: If two or more people are integral to an activity/program, individual nominations must be submitted.)
Nominees must not be current members of the Senate and its sub-committees, members of the Alumni Council, faculty deans, and staff at the Division of Alumni and Development.
Posthumus nominees must have been deceased for no more than 10 years at the time of nomination.

Create a profile and start your application

All nominations must be submitted online. The form will ask you to provide nominee information, responses for selection criteria questions, supporting documents and nominator information.

You can save your progress in the online nomination form and come back to it at any time.

Create your online profile

Attach your supporting documentation

Nominations must include supporting documentation, including two reference letters and up to 5 supporting files or web links.

Reference letters should be no more than 700 words and can come from peers, colleagues or friends - anyone (other than the nominator) who can vouch for the impact of the nominee.
Supporting documentation will only be accepted in PDF format.
We recommend keeping the file size under 5MB.

Submit your nomination

Nominators will receive an automated response email with a copy of your nomination once you submit the form. Please keep this for your records. If you experience issues submitting an online nomination form, please contact the Alumni Office - alumni.office@sydney.edu.au.

Selection process

Submissions are reviewed against the selection criteria and eligibility requirements to create a shortlist.
A selection panel comprising of expert alumni and staff determine the recipients for each category.
Recipients are then notified and announced to the public ahead of the at the Alumni Awards Gala Dinner.
Only winners and their nominators will be informed of the outcome.

Frequently asked questions

Who can write references to support a nomination?

References can be written by professional and academic colleagues. We recommend at least two references be submitted.

Can the nominator also provide a reference letter for the same nominee?

No. The nominator cannot also be a referee since they will have already provided a recommendation letter in the nomination form. One person cannot write more than one statement for each nominee. However, a nominator can act as an endorser for a different nominee.

What does the reference letter need to include?

References should be written to understand the nominee’s achievements and impact better and to discuss specific examples of both. The referee should make clear their connection with the nominee and state their full contact details, including phone and email.

What sort of relevant information and supporting documents are required to support the nomination?

All supporting documents should relate directly to the reason for the nomination. They can include letters of reference, media articles and publications. Whatever the material is, it should illustrate and enhance what is in the written nomination. For Graduate Medal nominees, the documents should illustrate activities and achievements during the period of study.

Do I need to include a reference letter?

Yes, a reference letter is required to submit a nomination. We recommend submitting at least two (2) reference letters.

Terms and conditions

Nominations can be made by University of Sydney staff, students, alumni and any member of the public.
Each Alumni Achievement Award nomination in a given year may be considered for two consecutive years. Nominators will be contacted to provide updated information.
Previous unsuccessful nominations for the Alumni Achievement Awards can be re-submitted by the nominator with any updated information in future years.
The online nomination forms can be saved. Nominators may edit their entry after submitting, until the nominations deadline.
The judging panel reserves the right to change the category for nomination.
Nominees cannot win in more than one category.
We reserve the right to reallocate nominations between categories.
The nomination outcome will be final and conclusive.

Nomination writing tips

Dr Richard Brennan AO in the Anderson Stuart Building courtyard, leaning against a sandstone pillar with his arms crossed, smiling. — Dr Richard Brennan AO, WHO Regional Emergency Director and winner of the 2024 Alumni Award for Service to Humanity.

Be clear and concise. Your responses should align closely with the selection criteria. Answer the questions in the nomination form clearly and specifically. Provide a concise overview of who your nominee is, why they are exceptional, and how they have made a significant impact.

Use real life examples. Elevate the persuasiveness of your nomination by collecting evidence to support your information statements and providing personal anecdotes and examples that demonstrate their achievements.

Engage referees early. The strongest nominations also include multiple letters of recommendation. Make sure to give the writers plenty of notice and guide them to include personal observations and evidence.

How to nominate