CUGH Global Health Leadership Awards

Submissions Closed

The Consortium of Universities for Global Health wishes to acknowledge the accomplishments and commitment of outstanding individuals who contribute to the advancement of global health worldwide. 

CUGH has three awards that will be presented at its annual Global Health Conference. There may be more than one awardee per category.

Only CUGH members may submit a nomination. However, members and non-members may be nominated.

Awards

CUGH Distinguished Leadership Award

Eligibility:  Open to individuals working within and outside academia.

Award criteria – a candidate must have:

  • Demonstrated a long-term, profound commitment to global health;

  • Made an exceptional contribution to improving global health, through interdisciplinary activities across research, education, advocacy and/or service;

  • Demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in her/his field resulting in significant, lasting benefits for global health outcomes particularly for the world’s poor;

  • Inspired excellence among peers and staff and is well-respected in the global health community nationally and internationally; and

  • Played a pivotal role in advocating for, implementing or advancing global health policies and/or programs that improve the health of people and the planet.

CUGH's Dr. Thomas Hall-Dr. Nelson Sewankambo Mid-Career Leadership Award

Eligibility:  Be between age 30 and 50 in the year the award is given (eg: as of December 31, 2025 for 2025 awards).

Open to individuals working within and outside academia.

Award criteria – a candidate must have:

  • Demonstrated a proven commitment and consistent record of outstanding achievement in one or more of the areas of global health education, research, advocacy, and/or service;

  • Worked to reduce health disparities, particularly within low-income communities;

  • Established collaborations with colleagues in resource-poor settings;

  • Played an important role in advocating for, implementing, or advancing global health policies and/or programs that improve the health of people and the planet. 

  • Demonstrated strong leadership abilities.

CUGH's Dr. Wasserheit Young Leader Award

Eligibility: Be under the age of 30 the year the award is given (eg: as of December 31, 2025, for 2025 award).

Open to individuals working within and outside academia.

Award criteria – a candidate must:

  • Possess a record of outstanding achievement in one or more of the areas of education, research, advocacy, and/or service, particularly targeting the reduction of health disparities;

  • Have collaborated with colleagues in resource-poor settings to improve global health outcomes for the vulnerable or the poor. 

  • Have demonstrated strong leadership abilities.

NOMINATION PROCESS: 

CUGH members can nominate an individual who meets the criteria below by doing the following: 

  1. Submit a brief statement (under 250 words) as to why the nominee is worthy of the award (limit one submission per person per award).

  2. Include the nominee’s bio (under 250 words), if available.

  3. Submit nominations by September 15th, 2024, midnight, EST.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS: 

A CUGH Nominations and Awards Committee comprised of at least 7 members from CUGH’s Board of Directors and CUGH’s committees will review the nominees and rank them according to the awards’ criteria. The top 5 nominees for each award will be sent to the CUGH Board of Directors and Executive Director who will make the final selection.