Awardees

An awardee is a person or organization that has been granted an award, prize, or honor. The term is used across contexts, including academic, arts, industry, public service, and philanthropy. An awardee differs from a nominee, who has been put forward for consideration but has not yet received the award; some organizations use awardee and recipient interchangeably.

Most awards involve a nomination process, eligibility checks, and a selection by committees, juries, or judges. Selection may rely on criteria such as achievement, impact, originality, or service. After the decision, the awardee is announced and invited to a ceremony at which the prize, certificate, or stipend is presented.

Some awards also attach obligations or reporting requirements, such as delivering a lecture, participating in a mentorship program, or using funds in a specified way. The award may confer benefits such as prestige, funding, or increased opportunities, and can support advocacy, research, or cultural work.

Being named an awardee can advance careers, attract funding, or amplify public recognition. The phrase is common in official communications, but in many contexts “award recipient” or “honoree” is preferred. In several major prizes, winners are referred to as laureates. Overall, the status of an awardee is tied to the honor’s legitimacy, the awarding body's criteria, and the expectations attached to the award.