Nominations are now open for the 2026 UK RAS STEPS Technical Excellence Awards – a celebration of outstanding achievement, innovation, and leadership across the UK’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) technical community.

This year’s awards will be presented at the UK RAS STEPS Special Interest Group Showcase on 10 June 2026, where we will recognise individuals and groups whose contributions have made a significant impact on technical practice, collaboration, and community development.

Award Categories

If you, your team, or your Special Interest Group (SIG) have contributed meaningfully to the RAS technical ecosystem, we encourage you to nominate yourself, a colleague, or a group for one of the following awards:

Outstanding Special Interest Group Award

Recognises the SIG whose initiatives, activities, and community engagement have most effectively strengthened knowledge‑sharing and professional development across the RAS technical community.

STEPS SIG Collaboration Champion Award

Celebrates an individual who has made a significant contribution to cross‑group collaboration, knowledge exchange, or community building within any of the SIGs.

STEPS Emerging Leader in Research Technology Award

Honours an RTP who demonstrates leadership potential, initiative, and a strong commitment to advancing their technical specialism or supporting the wider RAS community.

Click here to Nominate Now!

Application Timetable

Applications Open w/c 23 February 2026
Applications Close 1 May 2026
Shortlisted Technicians Notified By 22 May 2026
Awards Ceremony 10 June 2026, at the SIG Showcase

Who Can Nominate?

Nominations are welcome from any member of the higher education community, including:

• Students
• Technical and academic staff
• Research groups
• External collaborators

We strongly encourage members from all areas of RAS to participate and help celebrate the exceptional contributions of technical professionals.

Can I Nominate Myself?

Yes. Technical staff may self‑nominate, provided a supporting statement is included.

Judging Panel

All nominations will be assessed by an independent judging panel to ensure fairness, transparency, and recognition of excellence across the community.

Don’t miss your chance to spotlight the outstanding work happening across the RAS technical landscape.

For questions or further information, please contact: info@ukras-steps.org