Call for Nominations – WDS Data Stewardship Award 2026 🏆
The World Data System (WDS) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 WDS Data Stewardship Award. This distinguished recognition celebrates early-career data stewards who have demonstrated:
🔹Comprehensive data management and/or curation across the full data lifecycle.
🔹Adherence to legal, policy, and ethical standards.
🔹Significant contributions to improving the quality, integrity, and accessibility of research data and metadata.
✔️Eligibility:
Nominees should be within 10 years of completing their Master's, PhD, or equivalent professional training. Nominations are welcome from peers, organizations, or as self-nominations.
📋Selection Process:
A panel of WDS Scientific Committee members, representatives from the International Technology Office, and ECR Network Co-chairs will review submissions based on impact and alignment with open science principles.
💭Note: Private sector nominees must clearly show community value beyond profit.
Learn more about past recipients and the selection rubric on the award page.
🔗 https://worlddatasystem.org/news-events/data-stewardship-awards/
We encourage our community members to nominate outstanding colleagues-or themselves-who exemplify excellence in data stewardship! 🌍✨
Questions about terms or process? Please ask in the comments below or email wds-ipo@utk.edu.
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Meredith P. Goins, MSIS
Executive Director, World Data System International Program Office
mgoins2@utk.edu------------------------------