Research and Innovation Services

This award recognises accomplished, long-term staff with significant track records over time delivering meaningful innovation across the impact spectrum, from technological to policy, creative practice and social innovations. It recognises their development of innovative solutions and long-term positive impacts that improve lives, contribute to prosperity and address community needs. It is envisaged that one to two (maximum) academics will be recognised each year.

Please note that this is not an open-call category. Gender-inclusive nominations will be requested from the Colleges (agreed nominations from Deans of Research and/or External Engagement and Heads of College).

Nominations will be evaluated on:

• Narrative: what is the nominee’s story, their role/history at the University of Glasgow, and how does the title of ‘lifetime innovator’ fit with their career?
• Achievements in innovation across the impact spectrum, not limited to success, profitability or benefits delivered via spin-outs, license deals or patents, but also innovation via a demonstrable history of impact via health interventions, social policy solutions, cultural or educational or creative innovations.
• Demonstration of the following attributes: creativity, leadership, clear response to need or gap (in market, practice, policy, understanding etc) and, if applicable, resilience in overcoming challenges.
• Reach: how the nominee has excelled and made a difference through the opportunities created via their innovative thinking.

This award recognises high-performing commercial or social enterprise spin-outs from University of Glasgow research. The spin-out/social enterprise being nominated must have been active within the last 12 months. 

This is an open-call category. Applications will be evaluated on:  

• Nature, development, set up, and importance of a distinct commercial or social venture - why was it created? What needs, interests or market gap does it respond to? 
• How impactful is the company’s offer? How beneficial are the products/services and the potential scale of their impact? This should be demonstrable. 
• Degree of innovation: how innovative/disruptive/unique is the core idea underpinning the enterprise?
• Indicators of investment raised by the spin-out along with proof of a financially sustainable business model that addresses current market opportunities or gaps and has the potential to create employment. 
• Level of contribution from UofG-led research to the development of the spin-out. 
• Level of activity from UofG researchers in the founding of the company, i.e. in terms of continuous active involvement and helping to raise investment. 
• Depth and breadth of partnerships between academic and non-academic partners, if any: what relationships have been built, supported, or enabled (internally or externally)? What have they achieved and what is the mutual benefit of the partnership? 
• Contribution of the spin-out to the local economy and ties to Scotland. 
• Public visibility of the company as well as evidence of relevant skills, contacts, mentors, and industry knowledge. 
• Commitment to EDI values and alignment with relevant UN SDGs. 
• Where applicable, resilience and creativity in problem-solving. 

To submit a nomination, please complete the Spin-out of the Year Application and consent form. The deadline for submissions is 23rd September 2024.

Please return forms to RIandE@glasgow.ac.uk 

This award recognises commercial or social enterprises established by University of Glasgow students. 

 This is an open-call category. Applications will be evaluated on:  

• Nature, development, set up, and importance of a start-up developed by students who are currently enrolled at the University of Glasgow or graduated in 2024: why was it created? What needs, interests or market gap does it respond to? 
• How impactful or potentially impactful is the enterprise? How beneficial or successful are the products or services offered or what is their potential? This should be demonstrable. 
• Degree of innovation: how innovative/disruptive/unique is the idea behind the start-up's offering? 
• Proof of an investable, financially sustainable business model that addresses current market opportunities or gaps and has the potential to create employment. 
• Contribution of the enterprise to the local economy and ties to Scotland or evidence of its potential contribution in this area. 
• Evidence of relevant skills, contacts, industry knowledge and, if relevant, mentors involved in the start-up. 
• Where applicable, resilience and creativity in problem-solving. 
• The start-up should have been active within the last 12 months. 

To submit a nomination, please complete the Student Start-up of the Year Application and consent forms available here. The deadline for submissions is 23rd September 2024.

Please return forms to RIandE@glasgow.ac.uk 

This is an open call category. We are seeking nominations for projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives within a defined community, underpinned by a collaborative approach to placemaking. Communities may be local, for instance within the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID), wider city, or further afield.  

Placemaking is a community-centric, often grassroots approach to improve a neighbourhood, city, or region. It is hallmarked by creative reimagining of community spaces to strengthen connections with the people who live in and use them.  

This prize category is intended to recognise Community-University partnership activities that are rooted in this placemaking ethos and demonstrate a positive impact. Impacts may span a range of benefits, for example improving the quality of public spaces, health and wellbeing, happiness, social and cultural enrichment or skills and job prospects. 

Applications should be made with the full knowledge and support of any community partners involved. 

Sponsored by the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. 

What we’re looking for: Projects that demonstrate a community-centred, sustained approach that have led or are leading to tangible social, civic or community benefit to those living within the GRID areas, in greater Glasgow or further afield. Projects should involve UofG staff and community partners rather than individuals. (Application submission to be made by project participant from UofG, for ease of process, communications etc.)

What we’re not looking for: One-off events or interventions.

Criteria: Positive contribution to place-making award are available here. 

Positive Contribution to Place-making Award application and consent form are available here. 

Please return forms to RIandE@glasgow.ac.uk by no later than 23rd September 2024. 
 

This category is an open call for projects or teams that embody the spirit of Glasgow Changing Futures.

This award will recognise collaborative teams – cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral – rather than an individual that are making meaningful contributions, with impact or potential for impact in areas of sustainability and net zero; societal and health inequalities; or other global/societal challenges.  

Projects/Teams nominated in this category should demonstrate constructive and successful knowledge exchange, co-creation, development and delivery strategies and processes with partner(s) from any sector. 

Nominations will be evaluated on: 

• Importance and focus of the project/team: what challenge(s) does the project/team address and how does it respond to them? 

• Nature, development, and set up of the project/team: demonstrate that the project/team is underpinned by research and innovation taking place at the University of Glasgow. 

• Depth and breadth of partnerships and collaborative relationships between academic and non-academic partners: what relationships have been built, supported, or enabled (internally or externally)? What have they achieved and what is the mutual benefit of these partnerships? How do these collaborative relationships centre dialogue and co-creation as integral elements towards finding impactful interventions? 

• Application of EDI values and sustainable practices: demonstrate that the project/team works together with a commitment to integrity, responsibility, and equity. Highlight, where appropriate, alignment of activities with relevant Sustainable Development Goals. 

• Demonstrable impact of the project/team outputs and outcomes to stakeholders: providing evidence and/or anticipated evidence where possible. 

• Creativity: demonstrate creative approaches and, if applicable, resilience in problem-solving. Highlight how diverse perspectives have shaped inclusive methodologies and, where appropriate, interventions. 

• Active within the last 12 months. 

To submit a nomination, please complete the Glasgow Changing Futures Awards Application & consent form available here. The deadline for submissions is 23rd Septemeber 2024.

Please return forms to RIandE@glasgow.ac.uk 

There will be one award per College for innovative knowledge exchange projects led by academic staff who are at an early stage in their research independence and academic career.

This award seeks to draw attention to the outstanding achievements and contributions of emerging talents fostered at the University of Glasgow who are an inspiration for future project leads and are expected to continue growing in their knowledge exchange and impact journeys. 

Please note that this is not an open-call category. A maximum of three gender-inclusive nominations fom each College will be requested. 

Nominations will be evaluated on:  

• Track record of knowledge exchange and engagement activities so far, underpinned by research undertaken at UofG. 
• Focus and outcomes/impacts of the activities undertaken so far and/or potential to generate impactful outcomes. 
• What type of partnerships and collaborative relationships with non-academic partners has the nominee fostered? What have these relationships achieved or what will they achieve, and what are the (projected) benefits of these partnerships – to the partners and beyond? 
• Commitment to values of equality, diversity and inclusivity and, where applicable, sustainable practices, as well as resilience and creativity in problem-solving. 
• Evidence of relevant skills, contacts, mentors, understanding of external partners and relevance of research.