The ANU College of Science and Medicine (CoSM) is seeking nominations for Commendations for Excellence in Education. Staff within CoSM, and students enrolled within this College, may nominate a staff member for a Commendation. Commendations will be awarded to individual staff or teams involved in teaching, supervising or supporting learning and teaching who demonstrate excellence on the basis of:

• sustained teaching quality, including supervision or tutoring
• successful innovation in any aspect of education
• other contributions to educational excellence in teaching or learning support.

The Associate Directors Education, Associate Directors HDR, Associate Deans (Teaching and Learning) and the Associate Dean Education (all named as Designated Nominators) may support an initial nomination or are encouraged to independently nominate staff.

The 2026 process will only require staff to be nominated/approved by one of the Designated Nominators, with nominees not required to submit an application. The Commendations will comprise of a certificate but will not be accompanied by monetary prizes.

All recipients of the Commendations will be nominated by the Associate Dean Education for the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Education Awards.

Categories

• Teaching Excellence*
• Excellence in Supervision
• Programs that Enhance Learning
• Indigenous Education
• Excellence in Tutoring or Demonstrating
• Outstanding Contribution to Education Experience*

*Denotes additional ‘Early Career’ category: Staff with no more than 5 years’ experience teaching/ supervising in higher education institutions. The 5 years can be non-sequential and must be counted on a semester basis, and includes all tutoring, part-time or causal teaching, and teaching within a team. Staff must have been employed at ANU for at least a year, and must be a staff member until the end of 2026.

Eligibility

Please refer to details under each category.

Nominations and Commendations

This is a two step process:

1. Staff and students nominate individuals or teams to the Designated Nominators using the Nomination form by 5pm, Friday, 30 October 2026.

Nominations Open

2. The Designated Nominators approve nominations by 5pm, Friday, 20 November 2026.

Eligibility requirements for College Commendations are the same as the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Education, but the criteria and consideration may vary.

Notification

Recipients will be notified and receive certificates in December 2026.

Nominations for Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Education

All staff who receive a Commendation will be nominated for the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards by the Associate Dean Education. The Promoting Excellence team will contact the recipients regarding the VC’s Awards applications, and recipients are encouraged to proceed with an application addressing the VC’s Awards criteria.

Frequently asked questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Please contact us if the answer to your question is not in the list.

• Frequently asked questions