CAUDIT Awards

1. Eligibility

• Open to all current staff working in IT at CAUDIT Member Institutions, excluding the Member Representative themselves.
• The leadership or activity submitted must have occurred between January 01, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
• The individual leading the activity/initiative must be from a recognised IT team and a current employee of a CAUDIT member organisation during the applicable calendar year.

2. Collaborative Entries:

• Collaborative entries between Institutions are accepted, with the lead Institution responsible for the submission.
• Submissions of all sizes (large, medium, or small) are welcome.

3. Submission Process:

• Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria.
• Submissions can be made as an individual or on behalf of a team, and nominations for other individuals or teams are permitted.
• Ensure all selection criteria are addressed.
• Each initiative or activity may be entered in one Award Category only, with the exception that an Emerging Leader nominee may also be part of a team nomination.
• The short description of the initiative or project must not exceed 150 words.

4. Deadline:

• All applications must be submitted via the online submission form (opens in new tab) by 5pm AEST on Monday 13 July 2026 to finalise the application.
  
  Make sure to save your responses to the selection criteria elsewhere as a backup.

For any enquiries or questions, please contact Steven Turner on project-support@caudit.edu.au or on 0404 695 444.

Before you enter, consider the following steps to ensure a successful application:

• Select the most relevant Award category for your activity/initiative.
• Ensure that you meet all conditions of entry and eligibility requirements.
• Familiarise yourself with the selection criteria, as the judging panel will use these to determine eligibility and assess applications.

To complete your application, follow these steps:

• Review the full list of submission questions in the Questions Reference Document (opens in new tab).
• Open the online submission form (opens in new tab) and begin the application.
• Save your progress at any time by clicking on the 'Save and Continue Later' text located at the bottom of each screen. You will receive an email with a link that allows you to return and continue your application.
• Finalise your application by 5pm on 13 July 2026, AEST. 

We suggest drafting your criteria responses in a Word document and then copying them into the online application. 

Remember, all criteria must be answered. 

Early submission is encouraged to avoid any last-minute issues.

To access a PDF download of the selection criteria for each award category, please click here (opens in new tab).

Enhancing the Student Experience

• Evidence of working with and supporting colleagues. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of working with others to achieve goal/s. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of enduring positive impacts or changes in attitudes, behaviours. (max 200 words)
• How has this activity helped prepare students to succeed in life beyond/after study. (max 200 words)
• Degree to which innovation has been demonstrated. (max 200 words)
• Sustainability & scalability.
  In what ways has the activity shown itself to be conscious of its own long-term costs and contributions as part of a commitment to sustainable practice? 
  What challenges have been met or barriers surmounted? (max 200 words)
• Degree to which this has become a model for other activity.  (In what way?) (max 50 words)
• Any other comments? (max 100 words)

Excellence in Research Support

• Evidence of working with and supporting colleagues. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of working with researchers and colleagues to achieve goal/s. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of enduring positive impacts or changes in attitudes, behaviours. (max 200 words)
• How has this activity supported researchers? through clearer, smarter, simpler systems, tools, processes etc? (max 200 words)
• Degree to which innovation has been demonstrated. (max 200 words)
• Sustainability & scalability.
  In what ways has the activity shown itself to be conscious of its own long-term costs and contributions as part of a commitment to sustainable practice? 
  What challenges have been met or barriers surmounted? (max 200 words)
• Degree to which this has become a model for other activity.  (In what way?) (max 50 words)
• Any other comments? (max 100 words)

Operational Excellence

• Evidence of working with and supporting colleagues. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of working with others to achieve goal/s. (max 200 words)
• Evidence of enduring positive impacts or changes in attitudes, behaviours. (max 200 words)
• How has this activity helped achieve operational excellence - doing the right thing effectively and efficiently. (max 200 words)
• Degree to which innovation has been demonstrated. (max 200 words)
• Sustainability & scalability.
  In what ways has the activity shown itself to be conscious of its own long-term costs and contributions as part of a commitment to sustainable practice? 
  What challenges have been met or barriers surmounted? (max 200 words)
• Degree to which this has become a model for other activity.  (In what way?) (max 50 words)
• Any other comments? (max 100 words)

Emerging Leader

• Evidence of leading and supporting colleagues. (max 200 words)
• Degree to which nominee demonstrates inclusiveness, working in partnership with and supporting others to achieve goals. (max 200 words)
• Demonstrated success in building team/s and leading those team/s - through cultural change, and/or to deliver an initiative aligned with their organisation's mission/priorities. (max 200 words)
• How has this individual provided value to their institution. (max 200 words)
• Degree to which critical thinking and leadership has been demonstrated. (max 200 words)
• Sustainability & scalability. 
  In what ways has the individual shown themselves to be conscious of long-term costs and their contributions as part of a commitment to sustainable practice? What challenges have been met or barriers surmounted? (max 200 words)
• Degree to which nominee provides a positive role model for others.  E.g. Motivates and inspires others - team or wider. (max 50 words)
• Any other comments? (max 100 words)