The national awards which recognise and honour the work of technicians are now open for applications across ten categories, with a new Apprentice and Sustainability award announced for 2025.
The Papin Prizes are dedicated to celebrating the very best technical staff and teams in academia and research and applications are now being encouraged from individuals who work with technicians.
Ten awards will be presented at the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) which is taking place on Wednesday 9 July 2025 at the Leonardo Conference Centre in Leicestershire.
Nominations are now open for the following Papin Prize categories:
Apprentice
A member of technical staff who has either recently completed, or is currently engaged, in an apprenticeship programme.
Contribution to Knowledge Exchange
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to delivering knowledge exchange and innovation activities on behalf of their institution.
Contribution to Research
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to research.
Contribution to Teaching
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to the student teaching and learning experience.
Excellence in Sustainability
A member of technical staff who has engaged in sustainable practices within the environment they operate in and has been involved in meaningful activities to reduce environmental impact.
Infrastructure and Facilities
A member of technical staff who supports or maintains infrastructure or facilities within an institution. They have made sustained day-to-day contributions to operational activity to support teaching, research, and/or the general institutional environment within their field.
Best Newcomer
An individual who has embarked on a technical career within the past four years and shown exceptional promise - for example, this may be a trainee or apprentice technician.
Outreach/Community
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to community/outreach activities.
Technical Team
A technical team which has worked together to deliver excellence.
The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award
An award to recognise continued excellence and/or significant achievements across an individual's technical career.
HETS 2025 is sponsored by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Midlands Innovation.
Dr Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation said that the Papin Prizes had grown from strength to strength since 2015, when the awards were established by the regional research partnership and University of Nottingham.
“The Papin Prizes recognise and celebrate the very best technical staff across the UK. Because the submissions are invited from people who work with technical staff, they also increase recognition and visibility of technicians,” she explained.
“Activities like this help to improve research culture within organisations and aligns with the work of the Technician Commitment to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research.
“We’re proud to have championed the role of technical professionals for many years and, by sponsoring the 2025 UK Higher Education Technicians Summit, we can continue to do this at a national level.
“Our technical professionals play a key role in shaping the categories and the judging panel. For 2025, two new categories have been introduced, reflecting the evolving landscape and providing additional opportunities to recognise and celebrate technical professionals in diverse roles.”
Applications are open across the ten categories until January 31 2025. Applications can be submitted online via the Midlands Innovation/TALENT website. Click here to view categories and submit a nomination.
Nominations are encouraged from individuals who work with technical professionals including students, staff, collaborators and alumni.
All submissions will be reviewed by an independent judging panel of technical staff from the Midlands Innovation partner universities. Shortlisted submissions will then be reviewed by the Midlands Innovation Executive Management Group, comprising of Pro-Vice-Chancellors.
The awards will be presented at the 2025 UK Higher Education Technicians Summit which is taking place on Wednesday 9 July at Leonardo Conference Centre, Watling St, Burbage, Hinckley, LE10 3JA.
