The Presidential Awards program, organized by the Office of the President in partnership with Duke Human Resources, recognizes staff and faculty who best demonstrate the values that define and shape Duke as an institution. The awards are one of the highest honors given by Duke to staff and faculty members.

The Presidential Awards recognizes both individuals or teams who have made extraordinary contributions throughout the year or provided extraordinary service over the course of a longer period.

Presidential Award Criteria

Nominees, either individuals or team, should take into consideration those who, through their exceptional contributions, exemplify at least one of Duke's five institutional values: Respect, Trust, Inclusion, Discovery, and Excellence. Individuals and teams can be nominated both for contributions over the past year or for extraordinary service over the course of a longer period.

Past Award Recipients

Nominees* must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Permanent, full-time or part-time benefits-eligible employee.
  2. Employed in current position for at least one full year.
  3. Free from any disciplinary actions for the last five years.
  4. Department head must approve the nomination.

*Previous Presidential Award winners are not eligible for nomination (this does not affect previous Presidential Meritorious Award winners).

Presidential Award Nomination Process

  • Any member of the Duke community can submit an individual nomination or a team nomination.
  • Presidential Awards nomination must be received by October 17, 2025.
  • Award recipients will be selected by a committee appointed by the President.
  • Award recipients of the Presidential Award will be notified in January 2026.
Individual Nomination Form
Team Nomination Form

Presidential Award Presentation

  • The President, along with the senior leadership of the university and health system, will honor the winners during an awards ceremony in March, 2026.
  • Winners will be presented with an award.

Required Information for Presidential Award Nominations

Individual Nominations

  • Nominee's full name, title, department and years of service in current position
  • Nominee's phone number and email address
  • Nominee's Duke Unique ID (7-digit number)
  • Name of nominee's direct supervisor and supervisor's email address
  • Name of nominee's department head, their title, phone number and email address
  • Nominator’s name, title, department, and relationship to nominee
  • Nominator’s department, phone and email address
  • Summary: a 200-word summary or 2-minute video or voice recording to support your nomination, explaining how this individual meets the criteria for this award.  Please note that videos and voice recordings will be evaluated solely on the content of what you share about the nominee. The quality of the recording (such as lighting, sound, or video production) will not affect the review process. (NOTE: Summaries exceeding 200 words or more than two minutes of video or audio will not be considered)
  • Letter(s) of support: At least one (1) letter of support, not to exceed one page, is required for each nomination. Up to two (2) additional letters of support, not to exceed one page each, will be accepted for each nomination
  • (Optional) Second nominator information (same as nominator information as above)

Team Nominations

  • Team Name
  • (For each member of team): full name, title, department, phone, and email
  • (For each member of team): Duke Unique ID, years of service in current position
  • (For each member of team): Supervisor name, supervisor email
  • (For each member of team): Department head name, department head title, department head phone, and department head email
  • Nominator’s name, title, department, and relationship to nominee
  • Nominator’s department, phone and email address
  • Summary: a 200-word summary or 2-minute video or voice recording to support your nomination, explaining how this individual meets the criteria for this award.  Please note that videos and voice recordings will be evaluated solely on the content of what you share about the nominee. The quality of the recording (such as lighting, sound, or video production) will not affect the review process. (NOTE: Summaries exceeding 200 words or more than two minutes of video or audio will not be considered)
  • Letter(s) of support: At least one (1) letter of support, not to exceed one page, is required for each nomination. Up to two (2) additional letters of support, not to exceed one page each, will be accepted for each nomination
  • (Optional) Second nominator information (same as nominator information as above)