The Engaged University of the Year Award celebrates a higher education institution that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering partnerships, driving positive societal change, and advancing the public good. This award recognizes universities that have embraced community engagement as a core value, integrating it into their teaching, research, and operations. By addressing societal challenges through collaborative efforts, these institutions have made meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond, showcasing the transformative power of higher education as a catalyst for engagement, inclusivity, and impact.

The Innovative University Award acknowledges an academic institution that has exemplified outstanding achievement in conceiving and implementing pioneering approaches to generate novel ideas, methodologies, products, services, or solutions, each bearing significant positive impact and value. This university transcends traditional boundaries of inventorship, technology transfer, and commercialization. It has cultivated an institutional culture that fosters innovation and transformative change, not only in education and research but also in public service. This culture of innovation permeates various facets of university life, potentially encompassing clinical care, athletics, the arts, and auxiliary operations, thereby establishing a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures and propagates ground-breaking advancements.

The Green University of the Year Award recognizes a higher education institution that exemplifies outstanding commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. This includes integrating sustainable practices into resource planning, operations, research, and teaching, while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among staff, students, and the broader community. Honoring institutions where environmental stewardship is a core value, this award celebrates leadership in climate action and the promotion of green initiatives that inspire meaningful change within and beyond the campus.

This award honors an exceptional leader in higher education who has demonstrated remarkable vision, strategy, and commitment to advancing their institution in key areas such as entrepreneurship, community and civic engagement, sustainability, digital transformation, or innovation. It celebrates individuals whose transformative leadership inspires change, drives institutional excellence, and fosters a culture that empowers others to achieve meaningful impact.

This award celebrates a leadership team in higher education that has excelled in applying entrepreneurial thinking to seize opportunities and deliver impactful outcomes. By embracing creativity, adaptability, and strategic foresight, the team has effectively transformed vision into action, benefiting their institution and society at large. The leadership team may consist of members from various levels and units, encompassing but not limited to university-wide roles, faculty or school administration, departmental leadership, research unit directors, support unit management, or student leaders.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award celebrates a team that has made exceptional contributions to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation within the realm of higher education. This prestigious accolade is reserved for groups that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset among students, faculty, and the wider academic community. The award-winning team could comprise educators, administrators, mentors, or any combination of individuals working collaboratively to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation. This team stands out for its efforts in developing programs, workshops, competitions, and networks that encourage and support the pursuit of innovative projects and entrepreneurial ventures. Their work is characterized by a passion for innovation, a dedication to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and a commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application. The ideal team not only inspires and educates but also provides the necessary resources and connections to turn ideas into reality. This award recognizes the team's significant role in cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within their institution, making a lasting impact on the students and faculty they serve and contributing to the broader field of higher education.

The Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award honors an individual educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and success in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. This award celebrates innovative teaching methods, impactful mentorship, and a commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and tools to thrive in entrepreneurial environments. The award is open to faculty members across all academic ranks, including professors and lecturers, who have made significant contributions to cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset and skills among their students.

The Community Engagement Initiative of the Year Award honours a distinguished initiative that has markedly deviated from conventional practices, resulting in extraordinary outcomes for the broader community, particularly in terms of societal impacts. This initiative distinguishes itself by either tackling a challenging issue that previously lacked effective resolution or by demonstrating scalability that leads to widespread, far-reaching impact. The award celebrates innovative approaches that significantly contribute to community welfare, highlighting initiatives that have not only identified and addressed critical societal problems but have also set new benchmarks in community engagement and social responsibility.

The Engaged Academic of the Year Award honors an individual from the academic realm who has shown exceptional dedication and effectiveness in engaging with outside stakeholders. This award is designed to recognize a faculty member, researcher, or academic professional who has gone beyond the traditional scope of academic duties to actively and meaningfully connect with external entities such as industry partners, community organizations, governmental bodies, or non-profits. The ideal candidate for this award is someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to applying academic expertise in a way that directly benefits society. This includes translating research into practical solutions, participating in collaborative projects with external partners, contributing to policy development, or actively working on community-based initiatives. Their engagement should exemplify how academic knowledge and research can be effectively integrated with external needs and challenges, leading to impactful outcomes. The award highlights the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the wider world, acknowledging the vital role that academics play in driving societal progress through active engagement with stakeholders outside the university.

The EU Project of the Year Award recognizes a currently running or completed project funded by the European Union. This award highlights initiatives that demonstrate exceptional innovation, collaboration, and societal impact, advancing EU priorities and addressing key challenges.

The University Alliance of the Year Award recognizes an alliance of higher education institutions that exemplifies exceptional collaboration in addressing shared challenges and advancing collective goals. This award honors alliances that successfully leverage their combined expertise, resources, and networks to enhance education, research, and service, while fostering innovation and resilience. By working together, these alliances create meaningful and measurable outcomes that benefit students, faculty, and communities, and contribute to tackling pressing global and societal issues. The award celebrates partnerships that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and long-term impact through effective collaboration.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem of the Year Award is designed to recognize an ecosystem that is affiliated with a university or has a university as a core stakeholder. This award celebrates an ecosystem that exemplifies a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic environment where ideas, resources, and talent converge to create significant impact. The ideal ecosystem demonstrates a strong integration of academic research and entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging the development of startups, innovative projects, and collaborations between academia, industry, and other community stakeholders. The award acknowledges these ecosystems for their role in nurturing entrepreneurial talent, facilitating the transfer of knowledge from academia to the marketplace, and contributing to the economic and social development of their communities. Such ecosystems not only support the growth of new ventures but also play a pivotal role in shaping a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within and around the university, setting an example for future initiatives in the realm of (academic) entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneurship Course of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary higher education course that excels in developing students' entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, fostering innovation, and encouraging practical, real-world application. This award celebrates courses that effectively combine theoretical rigor with experiential learning. Recognized courses go beyond traditional classroom instruction, innovative elements such as incorporating collaborative projects, industry partnerships, and mentorship to prepare students for the complexities of entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The award honors courses that inspire creativity, adaptability, and a proactive approach, equipping students to identify and seize opportunities while making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities. The term "course" encompasses a wide range of educational offerings, including short-term programs such as summer schools, semester-long lectures, and comprehensive degree programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD level.

The Campus of Tomorrow Award honors a university that demonstrates outstanding vision and leadership in shaping the future of campus development. This award recognizes institutions that integrate sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity into their campus planning and operations, creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring and forward-thinking. It celebrates universities that excel in reimagining both physical and digital environments to foster collaboration, advance research, and enhance learning experiences. These campuses exemplify a commitment to environmental stewardship, cutting-edge design, and accessibility, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of diverse students, faculty, and communities while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The EdTech Innovation of the Year Award recognizes a groundbreaking advancement in educational technology that has significantly enhanced learning, teaching, or accessibility in higher education. This award celebrates transformative digital tools, platforms, and/or approaches that address diverse learning needs, improve teaching effectiveness, or promote inclusivity. It honors innovations offering scalable solutions to the challenges of an evolving educational landscape. By setting a new standard for excellence in EdTech, these innovations inspire the academic community to embrace digital transformation and reimagine the future of education.

The SDG Impact Award recognizes an initiative within higher education that has made a significant and measurable contribution to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This award celebrates exemplary efforts that align with global sustainability priorities, addressing pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and quality education. It highlights initiatives that drive meaningful change, foster innovative solutions, and inspire others to take action in creating a more sustainable and equitable future. By showcasing leadership and impact, this award underscores the transformative potential of higher education initiatives in advancing the global sustainability agenda.

The Science Communication Award celebrates a higher education institution or individual that demonstrates exceptional skill and dedication in translating complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging, and meaningful narratives for diverse audiences. This award recognizes innovative approaches to promoting science literacy, inspiring curiosity, and fostering a deeper public appreciation for science and its role in society. Honorees excel in breaking down barriers between academia and the public, using creative methods such as multimedia storytelling, public lectures, community engagement, or digital platforms to connect with people from all walks of life. The award emphasizes the importance of clear, impactful communication in enhancing trust in science, addressing misinformation, and encouraging informed decision-making. By showcasing outstanding achievements in science communication, this award highlights the transformative power of education and outreach in shaping a more scientifically literate and engaged society.

The Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Award recognizes a higher education institution or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to empowering (future) female entrepreneurs and advancing gender equity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This award celebrates programs, networks, or initiatives that effectively address the unique challenges and barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship, such as access to funding, mentorship, and resources. Honorees exhibit innovative approaches to fostering inclusivity, building supportive communities, and creating opportunities for women to thrive as entrepreneurs.