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The Impact Awards 2026

The Impact Awards celebrate the organisations, initiatives and individuals making a real difference to young people's career readiness. Nominations are open to everyone (whether you're already a Springpod partner or not, and whether you're nominating your own organisation or shouting about someone else's great work).
The whole process runs online, so nominating takes minutes. Winners will be announced online at the end of September, then celebrated in person at our invite-only Impact Awards event on 6th October 2026, where we'll bring together this year's changemakers.
Submit a nomination
Download template

How does it work

The process
Nominating for an Impact Award is as easy as 1,2,3,4....
1
Choose a category

Pick the award that best fits you, your organisation, or the person you'd like to put forward.

2
Download & fill in the template

Grab our short nomination template and fill in the details.

3
Submit the
form

Upload your completed template when you submit the nomination form.

4
Winners announced

Our panel reviews entries. Winners are announced online at the end of September and celebrated at our event on 6th October.

Award categories open for nomination

Public voting
Anyone can nominate — whether you're a Springpod partner or not. Put yourself, your organisation, or someone else forward for making a genuine difference to young people's futures.

Future-ready Employer

The organisation leading the way in equipping young people with the tools to be career ready.

Future-ready University

The university leading the way in equipping young people with the tools to be career ready.

Employer Impact Initiative

An initiative making a standout impact on young people's futures.

Young Impact Maker

A young person already shaping the future of work.

Careers Leader of the Year

A careers leader, at school or college level, making a standout impact for young people.

Also being awarded

Partner awards
Alongside the categories above, we'll also celebrate four further awards decided internally by Springpod based on partner performance and impact throughout the year. These aren't open to public nomination.

Social Impact Award

Recognising the most social impact generated in 2026.

HE Partner of the Year

Awarded to an outstanding higher education partner.

Employer Partner of the Year

Awarded to an outstanding employer partner.

Young People's Choice

Awarded to the Springpod programme with the most completions.

Key dates

Mark your calendar
Mark these dates in your diary — here's exactly when everything happens.

17 Sept 2026

Nominations close

End of Sept 2026

Winners announced online

6 Oct 2026

Celebrated at our invite-only event

Something unclear?
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about nominating for the Impact Awards.
Who can nominate?
Anyone! You don't need to be a Springpod partner to take part.
Can I nominate myself or my own organisation?
Absolutely. Self-nominations are just as welcome as nominating someone else.
How many categories can I nominate for?
As many as you like. Feel free to submit multiple nominations across different categories, we just ask that you fill in the form for each award so that we have a submission per entry.
Do I need to download a template?
Yes please! Download the nomination template, fill it in with your details, then upload it when you submit the form.
What happens after I submit my nomination?
Our panel will review all nominations after the 17th September deadline and shortlist candidates for each category. Winners will be announced online at the end of September, and celebrated in person at our invite-only Impact Summit on 6th October.
Is there a cost to nominate or attend?
Nominating is completely free and if you're succesful and are invited to the event, that also has no cost attached.

Ready to recognise real impact?

Nominations close 17th September 2026 — don't miss your chance to put forward the people and organisations making a genuine difference to young people's futures.
Nominate now

Submit your nomination

Fill in the form below to put yourself, your organisation, or someone else forward. Nominations close 17th September 2026.