About the Research and Innovation Portfolio Staff Awards

The annual Research and Innovation Portfolio Staff Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of colleagues who exemplify UQ’s values. Recognising our colleagues in this way reflects the culture we value and aspire to cultivate within the Research and Innovation Portfolio and beyond.

As a Portfolio staff member, you are invited to nominate outstanding individuals or teams from the Research and Innovation Portfolio for an award. You can also nominate staff members from outside the Portfolio in the 'Trusted Partner' and 'Collaboration Achievement' award categories. You may submit multiple nominations in the same category or across different categories, but self-nominations are not permitted.

Winners will be selected by a panel, based on the written nominations received. Selection will consider how well each nomination addresses the award criteria, the quality of the supporting evidence provided, and how clearly the nominated activities align with UQ values.

In addition to the award categories, a special recognition may also be awarded at the discretion of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). It will be selected from the pool of nominations received, providing an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding contributions to the Research and Innovation Portfolio.

Nominate your colleagues

Nominations close 5pm Tuesday 27 October 2026

Winners will be formally announced at the Staff Awards presentation to be held immediately after the Research and Innovation Portfolio Town Hall meeting on Wednesday 9 December 2026.

Details and an RSVP link for the December Town Hall meeting and 2026 Staff Awards presentation will be shared via an all-staff email in November.

Award categories

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)'s Award For Excellence

This award recognises the superior performance of an individual. The recipient of this award will have delivered high quality and impactful outcomes in their work, demonstrated through either ongoing activities or a discrete program of work. The recipient will have demonstrated outstanding commitment to UQ’s values:

creativity
excellence
truth
integrity
courage
respect and inclusivity.

Wellbeing and Inclusion Award

This award recognises an individual who has promoted safe, inclusive and healthy working environments through leading or championing initiatives that enhance wellbeing and safety for staff and/or students.

Leadership Award

This award recognises an individual at any career stage who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the delivery of a service, project or initiative.

New Talent Award

This award recognises an individual who is new to the Research and Innovation portfolio, or new to their role, and has made a significant contribution.

Amplifying Research Impact Award

This award recognises an individual who has contributed to raising the visibility, understanding, or influence of UQ research through external promotion and profiling. Through activities such as coordination, relationship-building, and operational support, the recipient has helped ensure UQ research is showcased, translated, or connected with external audiences and stakeholders, strengthening the University’s research reputation.

Trusted Partner Award

This award recognises a staff member from outside the Research and Innovation portfolio, whose partnership and contributions have made a significant impact, operationally or strategically, to the portfolio.

TEAM AWARDS

Innovation Award

This award recognises a team who have delivered innovative initiatives and ideas, significantly enhancing workplace practices throughout the year.

Collaboration Achievement Award

This award recognises a group* who have worked collaboratively across, or outside of, the Research and Innovation portfolio to deliver a high-impact activity for the University.

*The nominated group must include representatives from at least two organisational units and may include individuals from outside the Research and Innovation portfolio.

Service Excellence Award

This award recognises sustained excellence in service delivery by a team to the UQ community.

Commitment to Excellence Award

This award recognises a team who have demonstrated consistent high standards in the conduct of their work, maintaining a commitment to process integrity and promoting a culture of excellence through their activities and/or advocacy.

Eligibility

Only Research and Innovation Portfolio staff at HEW 1-9 are eligible to be nominated (except for the Trusted Partner (individual) Award and Collaboration Achievement (team) Award)
R&I Portfolio staff, as well as staff from other areas across UQ, can nominate an individual or team for an award
Staff members can submit multiple nominations within the same category
A staff member can make nominations in multiple categories
The team members for a team award nomination may or may not directly align to established teams
A team would generally be no larger than fifteen (15) people
If an individual or team has won in a particular category in the last 2 years, they will be deemed ineligible in that category

Nomination requirements

Nominator name, job title and business unit (Nominator details will not be shared during the awards ceremony but will be shared with the selection panel and the nominee.)
Award category
Nominee name, job title and business unit
Reponses to the following nomination questions:
- Citation - Please provide a concise summary of why you are nominating this individual or team for this award. Your citation may be read out at the awards event. [max 100 words]
- Evidence in support of your nomination - Please consider including clear examples, measurable indicators and/or qualitative evidence such as endorsements of this nomination. Any evidence provided may be read out at the awards event. [max 300 words]
- Alignment with UQ Values – Please summarise how the individual or team has demonstrated UQ Values in the nominated activities.[max 150 words]