SSMU AWARDS 2026

Each year the Students’ Society of McGill University awards students and student groups who have dedicated themselves to improving life on campus.

The Awards aim to recognize students, student groups and student-run events that have proven themselves to be outstanding. Nominees will be invited to attend a semi-formal banquet in the Centre Mont-Royal on April 2nd, 2026 from 7pm – 12am.

Completed applications for any of the Awards listed below must be submitted through this form by March 20th, 2026, 11:59pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

Feel free to contact Minaal Mirza, SSMU Vice-President (Internal Affairs), by email at internal@ssmu.ca with any questions or concerns about SSMU Awards or about the application.

Submit a nomination

Awards List 2026:

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

The Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to SSMU activities, events, clubs, or campus groups. This person need not have been the coordinator of an undertaking, but should have played a consistently supportive role in its development. This person should not be an elected student leader, but rather a committed volunteer who does not have a mandate to do the task. Coordinators and elected student leaders should apply for Executive of the Year.
The Coordinator of the Year Award will be presented to a SSMU coordinator or commissioner who has demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, as well as innovation and creativity to ensure the success of their program or portfolio.
The Roma Nadeem Memorial Award will be presented to a Club, Service, Faculty Association, or Departmental Association Executive Member who has demonstrated leadership and innovation throughout their term, and who has gone above and beyond their duty to contribute to campus life for the members of their association or group.
The Lev Bukhman Councillor of the Year Award, named in honour of past SSMU executive and McGill donor Lev Bukhman, will be presented to a member of the Legislative Council who has had a constructive presence and contributed to a positive Council environment
The Fred Sagel Memorial Award for Senator of the Year is named in memory and honour of Fred Sagel, a former SSMU executive who went on to study at Oxford and work at the World Bank before being taken from us too early, at the young age of 26. The award will be presented to a SSMU Senator who is respected by their peers, a productive and diligent member of Senate, and a kind and caring person.

GROUP AWARDS

The Committee of the Year Award will recognize an SSMU committee which has made outstanding contributions throughout the year.
The SSMU Club of the Year Award will be presented to a club which has fostered a solid membership, which has demonstrated its organization to be capable of growth, and which has sought to have an impact on the McGill community and broader society. Special consideration will be given to clubs who have demonstrated growth and/or innovation in their quest to serve their constituents.
The SSMU Service of the Year Award will be presented to the SSMU service that has shown itself to be continually self-improving, and persistently serving the needs of students within SSMU, the McGill community at large, and Montreal.
The Publication of the Year Award will be presented to a campus publication demonstrating an outstanding quality of editorial content and presentation as well as the positive impact of the publication’s content on the SSMU student body.
The Executive Team of the Year Award will be presented to a Club, Service, Faculty Association, or Departmental Association Executive who have demonstrated leadership and innovation throughout their term. The award will honor the executive team that has worked to support teamwork among its constituents while striving to maintain a link with the larger McGill campus. The executive team will have demonstrated an ability to work within tough circumstances and to develop initiatives designed to inform, serve, and involve the students it represents.
The Music Group of the Year Award will be presented to a student music group that has brought energy and innovation to McGill’s cultural scene through performances, collaborations, and events. The winner will be chosen based on the originality and quality of its music, its impact on campus community building, and its ability to inspire participation and sustain growth.

EVENT AND GENERAL AWARDS

The Social Event of the Year Award will recognize an activity sponsored by campus groups that benefited McGill and its students and was successful, either because of the cooperation it fostered, the interest it aroused, or the creativity and execution of the event.
The Charitable Event of the Year Award will recognize activities run by on-campus groups that are charitable. The charity in question can be local or international but must be (or be sponsored by) a SSMU recognized or internationally recognized club or group. The winner will be determined by funds raised, scope, interest, and creativity.
The SSMU Funding Project of the Year Award will be presented to a project sponsored by the SSMU through any of our existing funds (Ambassador Fund, Campus Life Fund, Club Fund, Environment Fund, Space Fund, Charity Fund, and Equity Fund) that has shown itself to be a significant addition to campus life and of exceptional benefit to students. The winner will be chosen based on the creativeness of the project, and its success, and its ability to be sustainable.
The Faculty Bar of the Year Award will be presented to a faculty bar that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and lively social environment for students. The winner will be chosen based on the consistency and quality of its programming, its efforts to build community and student engagement, and its creativity in making the space accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all.

For additional information, please contact internal@ssmu.ca.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS: 21st March 2026 @ 11:59PM

Disclaimer: Please only nominate for one award at a time. If you wish to submit nominations for multiple awards, you have to submit a new nomination form each time.

Submit a nomination