What you'll need to submit a nomination
- Authority to nominate on behalf of an eligible institution or Academy body.
- The candidate's accurate identity, principal role and field of distinction.
- A concise case for exceptional distinction and its wider significance.
- Authoritative evidence supporting the principal achievements and proposed citation.
- Disclosure of the nominator's relationship, material conflicts and confidentiality confirmation.
Purpose and standard
Honorary Fellowship recognises exceptional national, international or cross-disciplinary achievement, or an extraordinary contribution to arts, sciences, humanities, professional life or public service.
Nomination and Academy invitation
- UKAAS may identify and directly invite a prospective candidate after internal screening.
- An authorised Academy body or eligible external institution may submit a confidential nomination under the current regulations.
- The candidate cannot self-nominate and is not asked to pay.
- Initial consideration remains confidential; no publicity occurs before acceptance and explicit publication consent.
What a nomination must establish
- The nominator's identity, authority and relationship to the candidate.
- A concise case for exceptional distinction and its national, international or field-shaping significance.
- Authoritative evidence supporting the principal achievements and public citation.
- Known conflicts, material controversies and information relevant to integrity screening.
- Confirmation that the nomination has not been used for publicity or fundraising.
Consideration and decision
A nomination does not create an entitlement to consideration, approval or invitation. The Academy records the applicable standard, evidence, conflicts and authorised decision.
- Administrative review confirms authority, completeness and confidentiality.
- Evidence and the proposed citation are checked for accuracy and appropriate significance.
- Conflicted participants do not decide the case.
- Integrity, sanctions and serious public-interest concerns are considered proportionately.
- Only an approved case proceeds to a private invitation; the candidate is not involved in the earlier nomination stage.
Private invitation and acceptance
The invitation states the proposed citation, governing terms, post-nominal, publication choices and the right to decline without publicity. Status is not active until the recipient accepts and identity is confirmed.
Publication and active status
Before publication, the candidate approves the public name, title, biography, citation, image rights, external links and announcement scope. Consent to a directory profile is not blanket consent for advertising or sponsor campaigns.
- The approved post-nominal is FAAS(UK).
- The Directory identifies the status as Honorary Fellow.
- Serious fraud, sanctions, material misrepresentation or grave misconduct may lead to action under a fair process.
Independence from money and promotion
- No nomination, assessment, acceptance, annual or Life fee.
- No required donation, sponsorship, ticket, medal, certificate or media package.
- A commercial relationship, shareholding or personal connection cannot generate approval.
- Acceptance does not endorse every UKAAS view, partner, programme or community member.
Honorary Fellowship FAQs
Essential answers on nomination, confidentiality, fees, acceptance and publication.
Can I apply for Honorary Fellowship?+
No. A candidate enters only through an authorised nomination or direct Academy invitation. Self-applicants should consider the regular Fellowship route.
Who may submit a nomination?+
An authorised Academy body or an eligible external institution acting through a person with authority to nominate. Submission does not guarantee consideration or invitation.
Should the candidate be told about a nomination?+
No. The early process is confidential. UKAAS contacts the candidate privately only after an authorised approval to invite.
Does the candidate pay anything?+
No. Nomination, consideration, invitation, acceptance, active status and the standard public profile are free.
Can a donation or sponsorship support the nomination?+
No. Financial and commercial relationships are excluded from the merits decision and cannot secure approval.
May the recipient decline or limit publicity?+
Yes. The invitation may be declined without publicity. An accepting recipient separately controls the approved public name, citation, image, links and announcement scope.
Is acceptance an endorsement of UKAAS?+
No. Acceptance records receipt of a personal distinction and does not make the recipient responsible for every UKAAS view, partner or programme.
Will a declined invitation be disclosed?+
No, unless the individual independently authorises disclosure or disclosure is legally required.
