Call for Nominations: 2026 Postdoc Excellence Awards, and Distinguished Faculty and; Staff Postdoc Mentoring Awards

Call for Nominations: UW–Madison Postdoc Excellence Awards

The UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association (UWPA) is soliciting nominations for the 2026 UW-Madison Postdoc Excellence Awards. The awards were established by the association to encourage and reward excellence, innovation, and effectiveness in mentoring, teaching, and service by UW-Madison postdocs. There are three categories of award: Postdoc Excellence in Mentoring, Postdoc Excellence in Teaching and Postdoc Excellence in Service.

Postdocs may be nominated by themselves, current/former mentors or mentees, or colleagues. In case of self-nomination, we ask that nominees submit a letter of support from either a mentor, mentee, or colleague (as applicable). Nomination letters should provide specific details as to how the nominated individual excels in a given category and why they are deserving of the award.

Please find details of submitting nominations here. You can also view the rubrics for judging here: mentoring, teaching, and service.

Call for Nominations: Distinguished Faculty & Staff Postdoc Mentoring Awards

The UWPA is also soliciting nominations for the 2026 UW-Madison Distinguished Faculty & Staff Postdoc Mentoring Awards. This award recognizes faculty and staff at UW-Madison who contribute their time, knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm to mentoring and advancing postdocs in their research groups.

Please find details of the nominations here and rubric for judging here.

Nomination deadline: Nominations for all awards must be submitted by Friday, April 10, 2026.

Save the date: All nominees will be recognized during the Celebration of Postdoc Excellence event on Friday, May 22 at the Memorial Union. This event is open to all UW-Madison postdocs, their families, mentors, and research group friends. Dinner will be provided.

All questions and accommodations requests should be directed to the Postdoc Awards Committee (uwpa@postdoc.wisc.edu).