Nominations open for RCVS Knowledge Awards 2026
Nominations can be submitted until Friday, 9 January 2026.
Applications have now been opened for RCVS Knowledge Awards 2026, with nominations welcomed from all settings and all species.
The awards are designed to recognise organisations and practice teams which implement Quality Improvement (QI) methods to improve their standards of care. This includes evidence of innovation, leadership and evidence-based practice.
Nominations can be submitted until Friday, 9 January 2026.
The award categories are:
• The Antimicrobial Stewardship Award – celebrating practices which use QI methods to promote the responsible use of antibiotics
• The Quality Improvement to Lead Organisational Change Award – commending organisations making organisation-wide change using recognised QI methods
• The Quality Improvement in Practice Award – showcasing veterinary teams using QI techniques to drive improvements in care.
A panel of reviewers, consisting of experts from across different roles in the veterinary sector, will judge the nominations blind against a framework. They will be looking for examples of QI methods being used to make measurable improvements in practice.
A strong application will detail the problem the team is tackling, evidence for the full audit cycle, recognisable QI techniques to achieve measurable progress, and discussion of its real-world impact with qualitative and quantitative data.
The top three entries from each category will win the Champion Award and an invitation for a representative to attend the ceremony. First, second and third place will be awarded with a cash prize of £300, £250 and £200 respectively.
Applicants who meet assessment criteria, but do not place in the top three, may be named ‘Highly Commended Runners-up’. Meanwhile those with a strong QI foundation, but no full audit cycle yet, could be named ‘Ones to watch’.
Ashley Doorly, head of Quality Improvement at RCVS Knowledge, said: “Now in its seventh year, the RCVS Knowledge Awards continue to highlight the incredible work being done across the veterinary professions to improve patient safety and outcomes, boost team morale, embed evidence-based veterinary medicine, and support more fulfilling careers. Over the years, we’ve seen how strong team culture lays the foundation for successful Quality Improvement projects.
“This year, we’re especially excited to receive applications that explore emerging priorities such as sustainability, One Health, and contextualised care.”
Apply for the RCVS Knowledge Awards here.
Image © Shutterstock
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
