The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) has opened nominations for the Honorary Fellows Award, a prestigious recognition established to honor senior scholars and professionals who have made distinguished, long-term contributions to comparative and international education.
Established in 1982, the Honorary Fellows Award recognizes individuals whose lifelong scholarship, teaching, research and technical service have advanced the field in significant and lasting ways. The award is intended for established leaders whose work has contributed meaningfully to the development of comparative and international education as well as to the growth and quality of CIES.
The nomination deadline for the current award cycle is 30 October 2026.
About the CIES Honorary Fellows Award
The Honorary Fellows Award recognizes senior members of the Society whose professional achievements demonstrate exceptional contributions to comparative and international education.
Candidates are expected to have an outstanding record in at least two of three major areas, together with adequate involvement in the third. These areas reflect the breadth of professional contribution within the field.
They include:
• Scholarly research and publication
• Teaching and mentoring
• Policy, planning, evaluation, technical assistance and administrative activities
The award therefore recognizes more than academic publication alone. It celebrates individuals whose work has influenced research, strengthened education and mentoring, informed policy or planning, and contributed to practical and technical development within education systems.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Candidates for the CIES Honorary Fellows Award must demonstrate a distinguished and sustained career in comparative and international education.
The primary criteria include an outstanding record across two of the three specified areas of contribution, accompanied by meaningful involvement in the remaining area.
Candidates must also have made a significant contribution to the development and quality of CIES. This requirement highlights the Society’s interest in recognizing individuals who have contributed not only to the wider field but also to the professional and institutional development of the organization.
Another key requirement is a long and distinguished career spanning more than 30 years. Under the normal eligibility profile, nominees are expected to be 60 years of age or older.
In addition, nominees should have demonstrated long and active membership in CIES, including membership and engagement during the years immediately preceding the nomination.
Nomination Process
The CIES Awards Committee invites nominations for candidates to be considered in the current year. Successful nominations proceed through a multi-stage recognition process before the final award is presented at the Society’s Annual Meeting.
The award timeline begins with consideration of nominations in the current year, followed by confirmation by the CIES Board of Directors in the following year. Once confirmed, the Honorary Fellows Award is presented at the CIES Annual Meeting in the subsequent year.
Prospective nominators should therefore submit complete and well-supported nomination packages by the published deadline.
Required Nomination Materials
Each nomination must include several supporting documents designed to demonstrate the candidate’s professional record, achievements and contributions to CIES.
The required materials include:
• A letter of nomination from the chief nominator outlining the case for the candidate. The letter may incorporate input from additional nominators and must be signed by the chief nominator.
• At least five supporting letters from five current CIES members. These letters should clearly describe the candidate’s strengths and achievements across the relevant areas of comparative and international education.
• Additional supporting letters from non-CIES members may be included at the discretion of the nominator.
• A copy of the candidate’s full academic curriculum vitae, covering the nominee’s entire professional career.
The nomination materials should collectively provide a comprehensive picture of the candidate’s scholarly, professional, educational and institutional contributions.
Submission Deadline and Email
All nomination materials must be compiled and submitted as a single attachment.
Completed nominations should be emailed no later than 30 October 2026.
The same email address can also be used for questions, requests for additional information or clarification concerning the nomination requirements and award process.
Candidates and nominators are encouraged to ensure that all required documentation is included before submission to avoid an incomplete nomination package.
About the Comparative and International Education Society
The Comparative and International Education Society is a professional society focused on advancing scholarship and professional engagement in comparative and international education.
CIES supports a broad range of academic and professional activities, including research, publications, conferences, special interest groups, policy engagement and scholarly recognition.
In addition to the Honorary Fellows Award, the Society administers several other awards recognizing excellence and distinguished contributions within comparative and international education.
These include the George Bereday Annual Best CER Article Award, Gail P. Kelly Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation, Joyce Cain Award for Distinguished Research on People of African Descent, Jackie Kirk Outstanding Book Award, Elizabeth Sherman Swing Award, International Travel Award for Distinguished Service in Educational Reform, and African Inclusive Literacy Award.
Why the Award Matters
The Honorary Fellows Award provides an important platform for recognizing individuals whose professional careers have helped shape the comparative and international education field.
By acknowledging achievements in research, teaching, mentoring, policy, planning, evaluation and technical service, the award highlights the diverse forms of leadership that contribute to educational development around the world.
Recognition as a CIES Honorary Fellow also reflects a sustained commitment to the Society and the broader intellectual and professional community surrounding comparative and international education.
How to Submit a Nomination
Qualified nominators should prepare the nomination letter, at least five supporting letters from current CIES members and the nominee’s complete academic CV. All documents should be combined into one attachment before submission.
The completed nomination package should be emailed to oed@cies.us. by 30 October 2026.
The CIES Honorary Fellows Award offers an opportunity to celebrate senior leaders whose decades of scholarship, professional service, teaching, mentoring and policy engagement have made significant contributions to comparative and international education.
