Nominate Your Mentor

The 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Undergraduate 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ & Creative Activities is a student-nominated award that recognizes those mentors that go above and beyond to help empower students to accomplish their goals and to foster the next generation of researchers.

The award is offered in four categories:

  1. Early Career Faculty (i.e. Assistant professor or equivalent, typically <5 years in their position)
  2. Established faculty (i.e. Associate professor or higher, typically >5 years in their position)
  3. Trainees (e.g. graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, teaching assistants, research assistants, other trainees)
  4. Non-academic or technical staff

Recipients in each category will be recognized with a certificate and a letter to their Dean, Chair, or immediate supervisor (as applicable), highlighting their commitment to high-quality undergraduate research mentorship.

If you have questions related to this award, contact us at uri@ualberta.ca.

Nominations for 2025-2026 are now open!

Nominations are now open for the 2025-2026 URI Mentor Award! Students (or recent alumni) are encouraged to nominate mentors who go above and beyond in supporting undergraduate research. Students may nominate individuals who have mentored them in undergraduate research within the last four (4) years. A mentor can only be nominated in one category each year.

Nominations will be adjudicated by a multidisciplinary committee of undergraduate and graduate students, based on the support mentors offer their students across three domains:

  • Professional support
  • Intellectual support
  • Personal support

The URI values the principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity, along with other frameworks that foster access, community and belonging.

Nominating your mentor is a great way to show appreciation for your mentor’s support, and give back to those who have helped you in your research.

The deadline for nominations is January 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nominations submitted after this time will not be considered.

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Mentor Award Recipients

  • Early Career Faculty: Dr. Bailey Kacsmar, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science
  • Established Faculty: Dr. Sedami Gnidehou, Professor, Faculty of Science, Campus Saint Jean
  • Trainee: Ibrahim Khodabocus, Graduate Student, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
  • Non-Academic or Technical Staff: Dr. Colleen Fortier, Project Manager, Faculty of Science

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I nominate multiple people?
Yes! You can nominate more than one person. Please submit each nomination separately.
Can a group of students nominate a single mentor?
Multiple students can nominate the same mentor, but each student must submit their own, original nomination. Each nomination should be supported with specific examples. Duplicate nominations will not be sent for adjudication.
Should I use personal examples or keep it general?
Students are encouraged to provide detailed specific examples that demonstrate how their mentor has supported them, and to provide sufficient context for the adjudicators to evaluate your nomination.