2026 GCEC Awards

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Description

Call for Award Nominations

The GCEC awards showcase and celebrate the very best in university entrepreneurship. We are excited to highlight the outstanding achievements of global entrepreneurship programs and are proud to recognize their impact on the field.

Each year, the GCEC recognizes top programs across several categories. While each category typically features one overall winner, judges may also award a “Highly Commended” distinction to select finalists.

To ensure fair competition, three of our categories (Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center, Outstanding Student Engagement & Leadership, and GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence) feature two separate tracks based on institution size:

  • Small Schools: 7,500 or fewer students.
  • Large Schools: More than 7,500 students.

The GCEC Awards feature the following diverse categories designed to recognize excellence in center leadership, pedagogical innovation, and impactful entrepreneurship research:

  • Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center (2 tracks: smaller + larger schools)
  • Outstanding Contributions to Venture Creation
  • Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines
  • Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education
  • Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation
  • Outstanding Student Engagement & Leadership (2 tracks: smaller + larger schools)
  • Exceptional Contributions in Entrepreneurship Research
  • GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence (2 tracks: smaller + larger schools)

In addition to our program awards, we are proud to offer two individual honors:

  • The GCEC Legacy Award: Recognizes an individual for a lifetime of pioneering work and a legacy of impact in advancing university entrepreneurship.
  • The GCEC Trailblazer Award (New): Honors individuals who embody the spirit of our founders by making meaningful contributions to the growth and evolution of the GCEC network itself. This award recognizes individuals who embody the pioneering spirit of the founders of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC). The GCEC was founded in 1997 by three visionary leaders: Rudolph P. Lamone, University of Maryland; Thomas J. O'Malia, University of Southern California; and Donald F. Kuratko from Indiana University. 

Ceremony 

Award winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday, October 17, during the 2026 GCEC Conference in Florida, hosted by Florida State University. Please note that a leader from your entity must be registered for and attend the conference to receive an award.

How to Submit

Award nominations must be submitted through Reviewr, GCEC’s official submission and review platform. To get started, create a Reviewr account or log in to an existing Reviewr account using the link on the right-hand side of the screen under the deadline countdown.
Please note: your Reviewr account is separate from your GCEC membership login.

Important Deadlines

Award nominations are being accepted from April 10 to June 23, 2026.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the awards or submission process, please contact:

Gurpreet Jagpal
Chair, GCEC Awards Committee
Email: g.jagpal10@aston.ac.uk

Rules

Awards Categories

Before preparing your nomination, please review the GCEC Awards Criteria and Submission Process document. You can download the full PDF in the "Attachments" section below.

Submission Rules

  • Format: All nominations must be submitted as a single PDF file through the Reviewr platform.
  • Standard Page Limits: Nominations are limited to a total of 7 pages, consisting of a cover page, a 3-page nomination, and a 3-page appendix.
  • Excellence Award Exception: The GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award allows for a 5-page appendix, for a total maximum of 9 pages.
  • File Size: The PDF file must not exceed 10 MB.
  • Embedded Links: If including links for the judges, please limit your submission to a maximum of 3 links.
  • Category Selection: Leaders should select the category that best articulates their entity's specific focus and achievements. Universities may apply in multiple categories if they demonstrate significant strengths in each.
  • Recognition: While each category typically has one winner, judges may award "Highly Commended" status to select finalists.
  • Attendance Requirement: A representative from the nominated university must attend the 2026 GCEC Conference in Florida to accept the award. Exemptions may be granted by the Awards Committee only under exceptional institutional travel restrictions communicated in advance.
  • Eligibility: Award-winning schools are ineligible to submit for the same category for the following 5 years.

Preparing Your Nomination

To ensure a fair and efficient review process, please follow these guidelines:

  • Identify Your Category: Clearly state the specific category for which you are nominating your center. Nominations without a clearly identified category will not be considered.
  • Contact Information: Include the names of the center and institution, as well as contact details for both the center director and the individual submitting the nomination.
  • Clarify Roles: Clearly indicate the center’s specific role in any highlighted programs, activities, or personnel relationships.
  • Address All Criteria: Ensure every item in the nomination criteria is addressed, using "N/A" if a specific point does not apply. You may add relevant supporting information once all required items are met, provided you stay within the 3-page nomination limit

Appendix Guidelines

The appendix is your opportunity to provide visual and qualitative evidence of your program's impact.

  • The appendix must be appended to your nomination and submitted as a single PDF.
  • We encourage you to include marketing materials, fact sheets, brochures, testimonials, or photographs that visually capture your initiatives.
  • Do not use the appendix simply to add more text to your nomination.
  • Only include supporting materials that specifically relate to the award category and criteria. Ad hoc materials that do not directly tie to the criteria will be excluded and may negatively affect your evaluation.