Nomination Process 2026

The Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumni around the world and showcase the value and impact of their ENU education.

Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open! Keep reading to learn more about the nomination process and how you can nominate a difference maker.

If you have any questions about the awards, please contact the alumni team via alumni@napier.ac.uk.

Nominate now

Alumni Awards on a patterned red background

2025 winners standing holding their trophies

Attendees networking at a previous Alumni Awards Celebration event while musician plays in the background

Alumni Awards trophies placed on a table before they are presented

Previous winners Zander Murray, Harry Mclaren and Graeme Jones holding their trophies

A group of people taking a selfie at an event

A selection of small vases containing bright flowers surrounded by drinks glasses and candles

2023 Alumni Award winners Daniel Crehan and Isabel Dosser holding their trophies

University principal, Sue Rigby, standing next to a screen stating 'Alumni Awards Celebration'

Event attendees watching the awards presentation

Excellence Award

The Excellence Award celebrates the outstanding professional achievements of our alumni.

Multiple winners will be chosen. Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:

Evidence of sustained career success
A positive impact in their chosen field
High standing within their industry or profession

Last year’s winners were:

Angela Scott, Biological science, Pioneer in regenerative medicine. Learn more
Jack Lennie, Product design, Mechanical engineer and co-founder, We Are Makers. Learn more
Ogochukwu Okoye, PhD, Nephrologist. Learn more
Bilaal Shabbir, LLB, Advocate. Learn more
Toni Scullion, Computing, Computer science teacher and founder of dressCode. Learn more

Click here to submit an Excellence Award nomination

Impact Award

Edinburgh Napier alumni are behind so many extraordinary things you see happening every single day. The Impact Award honours those who are making an impact through their voluntary, charitable or professional activities.

Impact can be defined in many ways. This could include (but is not limited to):

Spearheading change in a professional capacity
Making a difference in the community through volunteering activities
Being an advocate for a marginalised community

The Award Panel will choose one winner. Previous winners include:

Ian Hounsome, Civil & Transportation Engineering and PhD, Men’s mental health advocate. Learn more
Zander Murray, International Festival and Event Management & Career Guidance and Psychology, Advocate for inclusivity in sport. Learn more
Isabel Dosser, Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Nursing), Founder of Dignity Boxes. Learn more

Click here to submit an Impact Award nomination

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award category pays tribute to the achievements of a recent graduate who has achieved success in the immediate years following the completion of their studies.

The nomination criteria is as follows:

Nominees must have graduated between 2020 and 2025 (inclusive)
The successful candidate will have achieved success in the short period of time since graduating. Examples of success include, professional achievements, launching a business, undertaking high-impact research or through volunteer activities.

One winner will be chosen by the Award Panel. Previous winners include:

André Agius, Directing, Director and theatre-maker. Learn more
Larissa Engelmann, Criminology, Applied criminology and forensic psychology and PhD, Criminologist. Learn more

Click here to submit a Rising Star Award nomination

Volunteer Award

The Volunteer Award is brand new for 2026!

This award recognises an alumnus who gives their time to support the Edinburgh Napier community. Volunteering makes a huge impact on the experiences and outcomes of ENU students, enables us to build a vibrant and supportive global alumni network and enhances the life of the university. Through this award we say thank you.

Examples of volunteering include:

Sharing career insights with students or recent graduates
Organising alumni events
Offering career opportunities or placements to students
Serving as a programme advisory board member
Plus lots more!

One winner will be chosen from the submitted nominations.

Click here to submit a Volunteer Award nomination

Nominate now

Who is eligible?

All nominees must be alumni of Edinburgh Napier University. Nominees may have gained a degree or qualification from Edinburgh Napier University or one of its antecedent institutions, or studied on a Transnational Education (TNE) programme.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Previous winners of a particular award category are not eligible for reconsideration in the same category.
Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.
Groups of alumni will be considered for nomination.

Additional information

The submission deadline is 11:59pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026. All completed nominations received via the online nomination form before this deadline will be considered.
Edinburgh Napier University alumni, staff and students can nominate alumni for an award.
You can submit multiple nominations; however, all must be submitted separately.
All nominations will be treated confidentially.

Schedule

Date	Activity
31 March	Deadline for nominations
April	All candidates will be contacted to confirm they accept the nomination
Late spring	Award panel to meet to select Excellence, Impact, Rising Star and Volunteer Award winners. The panel will be chaired by Geoffrey H. Day, Director of Marketing and External Relations and Honorary Graduate
Autumn	Winners to be announced
November	A celebration event will take place

Learn more about past winners!

The Alumni Awards recognise an individual or a group of alumni who have shown excellence and distinction in their personal and/or professional lives and who have made a positive contribution to the University, their community and profession.

Alumni Awards 2026 - Nomination Process

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