Nominations open for the 2026 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award
Release date 21 August 2025.
Nominations for the 2026 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award (RBHA) are now open!
Do you know someone whose compassion and courage make the world a better place? The RBHA celebrates those who step up in times of crisis and dedicate themselves to helping others.
Now celebrating its 25th year, the RBHA was established in honour of Scotland's national poet. Supported by South Ayrshire Council's Destination South Ayrshire service, the award recognises individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to human rights, social justice, and progress worldwide, reflecting the compassion and humanity that Burns himself championed.
The winner receives the equivalent of 1,759 guineas — a symbolic sum reflecting the year of Robert Burns' birth and the currency of his day — now valued at £1,800.
In 2025, the award went to Canadian volunteer Garth Knox, whose decades-long humanitarian work with GlobalMedic has supported disaster-struck communities and Ukrainian refugees across Moldova and beyond.
The call is now out for nominations for 2026. If you know someone whose actions have made a real difference — whether in your own community or halfway across the globe — now is the time to put them forward.
Councillor Brian Connolly, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: "The RBHA is a powerful reminder that one person's humanity can spark real and lasting change. Every year, we hear stories that restore our faith in the goodness of people. This award is our way of saying 'thank you' to those who give so much of themselves to others. I would encourage everyone to take a moment and nominate someone whose actions deserve to be recognised."
Nominations can be submitted online atwww.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/robert-burns-award from Monday 18 August and will close on Friday 26 September 2025.
The 2026 RBHA winner will be announced during a special Burns Night ceremony on 25 January 2026.
