Contact
Helena Pennlöv, Academy Steward
Vice-Chancellor's Office, secretariat
helena.pennlov@slu.se, +4618-67 15 42
The SLU Awards for Distinguished Service
Last changed: 18 June 2025
SLU annually presents three awards for distinguished service to employees whose efforts benefit SLU or the sector in which SLU operates, or to young, promising talent in a broader sense.
The last day to nominate is 1 May 2025.
- The Great Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for research efforts deemed "remarkable from an international perspective".
- The smaller Gold Medal for Distinguished Service rewards "exemplary, exceptional efforts of lasting value".
- The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to a young, promising talent at SLU who is encouraged to continue their activities in the same exemplary manner in the future, "preferably within the innovation and collaboration field".
The medals are awarded at the doctoral degree award ceremony which takes place the first Saturday in October.
Nominations
All SLU employees can submit nominations. Nominations must be submitted in writing, a maximum of two pages, and should contain both a presentation of the nominee and a justification. Special attention should be given to explain how the nominee's efforts have benefitted SLU or the sector in which it is active. If more than one employee has signed a nomination, you must list who is the main contact should any questions arise. Email your nominations and any other documentation as both PDF and Word files to helena.pennlov@slu.se by 1 May 2025. Use the subject line "Nomination: medal for distinguished service 2025".
More on the medals
Background
The medals were instituted through a decision by the SLU Board in April 2009 and were awarded for the first time in 2010. The SLU Board also decides who will receive the medals.
An award committee consisting of the vice-chancellor, the four deans, the chair of Sluss and the academy steward prepare the decision for the SLU Board.
The Great Medal for Distinguished Service is, as described below, awarded for research efforts. The smaller gold medal rewards other efforts. The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service goes to a young, promising talent.
The SLU Great Medal for Distinguished Service
The Great Medal for Distinguished Service is made of gold and has a diameter of 43 mm. It is given to a researcher who for a long time, and with great personal effort, has carried out work that benefits SLU or the sector in which the university is active.
The recipient must be approaching the end of their professional career, or have completed it, and they must have contributed an exemplary, exceptional effort during most of their career. To receive the medal, their research must be remarkable from an international perspective.
The Gold Medal for Distinguished Service
The Gold Medal for Distinguished Service has a diameter of 31 mm. The recipient is someone who has made an exemplary and exceptional effort of lasting value for SLU or the sector in which the university is active.
The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service
The Silver Medal for Distinguished Service has a diameter of 31 mm. It is awarded to a promising talent at SLU who is encouraged to continue their activities in the same exemplary manner in the future. It is preferably given to reward efforts within the field of innovation and collaboration.
For previous recipients, see external webpage for the awards