Each year, we gather as a community to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and acknowledge his extraordinary contributions to society. A committee of MIT community members is planning the Institute’s 52nd MLK celebration for February 11, 2026, inspired by words from Dr. King: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
This annual event is also an opportunity to recognize the winners of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Leadership Award. This award honors members of our community who, in the spirit of Dr. King, lift us up, restore our hope and bring us together – whether they are students, alumni, staff or faculty, pursuing their goals as individuals or in groups.
Please use this form to submit your nomination on or before December 1, 2025.
Eligibility
MIT undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, staff and faculty are eligible for nomination for this award. Both individuals and groups, including living groups and student and professional associations, may be considered.
Service to the community is defined in the broadest sense and includes academic, research, religious and secular contributions in which integrity, leadership, creativity and positive outcomes are apparent.
Nomination and selection process
Anyone at MIT (including alumni) may nominate an individual or a team for an award during the nomination period, which runs each fall.
Each year a new committee is chosen to review nominations and select award recipients. Every effort is made to create a diverse group with representatives from many different schools and departments across the Institute. Committee members are not permitted to submit nominations and are not eligible to receive an award during the time they serve.
The committee evaluates the nominations based on how well they address the questions posed in the nomination form (see below).
Award Categories
- Undergraduate Student
- Graduate Student
- Staff
- Faculty
- Alum
- Group
Nomination Questions
1. Describe the nominee’s service to the community.
How has the nominee contributed to the MIT community or broader society through their academic, research, religious, or secular work?
2. What distinguishes this nominee’s leadership?
Provide examples that show how the nominee demonstrates integrity, initiative, and creativity in their service.
3. Describe the positive outcomes or impact of the nominee’s efforts.
How have their actions created lasting change, strengthened community connections, or inspired others?
4. How does the nominee’s work embody the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Explain how their approach reflects MLK’s values — such as justice, equity, compassion, and civic responsibility.
5. (Optional) Share supporting materials or testimonials.
Letters, media, or links that illustrate the nominee’s contributions may be included.
Tips for Writing a Nomination
- Choose a category. Describe how your nominee meets the criteria of the category you have selected.
- Use these nomination questions as a guide. Respond to as many of the questions as apply to your nominee’s situation.
- Get support. Ask co-workers, supervisors, students, and/or faculty (including those in other departments, labs, or centers who may work with the nominee) to contribute detailed information about the team or individual being nominated.
- Use bullet points. Don’t worry about crafting beautiful paragraphs – it’s just fine to provide information in a bulleted list.
- Avoid jargon. While you are familiar with your nominee’s work, more than likely the members of the selection committee won’t be. Keep that in mind as you describe the nature and quality of the contributions and accomplishments.
- Include measurable results. Where possible, include measurable results (e.g., monetary savings, a new product or service, clients receiving goods or services in a more timely and/or professional manner, staff morale increasing, students being more informed and better prepared for courses or graduation, etc.).
- Use multiple examples. Include more than one example (the more the better) of how the individual or team went above and beyond the daily responsibilities of the job.
- Keep recognizing. If you submitted a nomination last year, consider revising it and citing more recent, specific examples of contributions made.
Who has received an award in the past?
Please see this listing of previous award recipients.
Questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or email mitmlkcelebration@mit.edu.