Eligibility
The award scheme will be open to all GBIF participant nodes. The awards recognize the achievements of the entire node team, rather than those of individual node managers or staff members. Node managers are eligible to self-nominate on behalf of their own team.
Scope
Applications must showcase work that was delivered within the past calendar year (Jan 2024-Dec 2024) and is aligned with the GBIF 2023-2027 Strategic Framework and GBIF 2025 Nodes Implementation Plan. The Node Awards will present up to three awards on behalf of the GBIF Governing Board. An expert jury will be appointed to select winners based off the below criteria.
Applications will be assessed by the jury based on work that demonstrates one or more of the following categories:
- Delivering impact and advancing positive biodiversity data outcomes: Making a substantial contribution to biodiversity science, policy and/or conservation
- Creating sharable and reusable resources: Developing tools, methodologies, datasets or workflows that could be used to benefit the broader GBIF community
- Engaging biodiversity communities through data mobilization, capacity building and collaboration: Advocating for open data access and use through outreach and engagement to deliver positive biodiversity and social outcomes.
Criteria
All nominations will be scored against the following criteria:
Impact
- The level of progress that has been demonstrated relating to the four areas of node services
- The scale of contribution to the implementation of the GBIF Strategic Plan and Node Implementation Plan
Approach
- The effectiveness of the approach (including robustness of measurability detailed in the nomination)
- The originality and innovation of the approach
Replicability
- The potential for reuse and broad application across the node community
- Any replication/reuse that is already taking place either within the GBIF node community or from other sources.
What is required to apply
Node managers can prepare and submit nominations using the dedicated form in the GBIF grants portal. Additional supporting documentation for each nomination should include:
- Names of the node manager and staff involved in the nomination
- Social handles (e.g. Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Mastodon) for the GBIF participant/node/ relevant hosting institution if applicable
- 1 letter of support from the head of delegation or relevant collaborators (hosting institution, funding partner, research partner etc).
- 1-5 high resolution images that the Secretariat has permission to use across communication and promotional activities to elevate the work detailed in the nomination.
2025 Schedule
The GBIF Node Awards will run every other year to coincide with the biennial Global Nodes Meeting. 2025 Nominations will open 17 February 2025 and closes 15 August 2025 (23:59 UTC +2). The jury will complete its review and selection thereafter, with winners announced at the Global Nodes Meeting and the Governing Board meeting in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Awards
Winning node teams will be invited to present the work from their nomination at the Global Nodes Meeting in November 2025.
The winning node teams will also receive a GBIF merchandise pack to celebrate their achievements, and a bespoke digital badge that can be utilized across LinkedIn and other social platforms.
Jury
Winners will be chosen by an expert jury consisting of members who have experience working with GBIF participant nodes. Jury members may include representatives from:
- the Nodes Steering Group
- current heads of delegation
- GBIF Secretariat staff
- Former nodes committee chairs
- Former node staff
- Previous award winners
Promotion
A selection of nominations (whether selected as award winners or not) will have the opportunity to be featured across GBIF communications materials to raise the visibility of node achievements globally. Application material be used across (but not limited to) the following formats, case study examples, news items and other highlights across GBIF.org, social media, reports, merchandise and other documents to help raise awareness of all node accomplishments across the network.