What makes a strong IBMS Awards nomination?

Entries can be submitted directly by applicants or made on behalf of colleagues and services. While there’s no single formula for a winning entry, the IBMS Awards team has shared a few practical tips to help nominators give their submission the best possible chance.

Be clear and concise

Tailor each entry

Answer every question

Start early

Submitting early gives the awards team time to review entries and flag any missing information before the deadline, helping to avoid last minute issues.

Show what makes it stand out

Use bullet points where helpful to highlight key strengths. Explain what makes the work unique or innovative, why it matters, and any challenges that were overcome along the way.

Use supporting evidence

You can upload one PDF of supporting material, such as charts, diagrams or testimonials, to strengthen your entry. Evidence helps bring the submission to life and demonstrates real impact.

This approach is reflected in the experience of Specialist Biomedical Scientist Gayle Johnstone, who won Harvey’s Lab Tour of the Year at the IBMS Awards last year. Reflecting on her winning nomination, Gayle said:

In my application, I wrote about how we run our tours and the impact they’ve had on our young patients. I also shared what it’s meant for us in the laboratory, and how we’ve built really strong relationships with paediatrics and other departments. It was easy to write because it came straight from the heart of our lab.

Include strong images

Photos play an important role in showcasing shortlisted and winning entries at the awards ceremony and in post-event coverage. A minimum of one high-resolution image is required, and links to videos can also be included within your supporting document.

Don't underestimate your work

It can be easy to assume that the work you do every day is simply part of the job, but many IBMS Awards nominations come from individuals and teams who did not initially see their work as exceptional. Judges regularly note that strong entries often reflect consistency, collaboration and commitment, rather than large-scale or high-profile projects.

Reflecting on her award win, Gayle described being recognised as one of the proudest moments of her career and encouraged teams not to underestimate the value of the work they do.