Celebrating Tomorrow’s Leaders: TY TrailblazHER Award

TrailblazHER – TU Dublin’s flagship gender equality initiative – has opened nominations for the 2026 TY TrailblazHER Awards, calling on secondary schools and community organisations across the island of Ireland to put forward outstanding female Transition Year (TY) students.

The awards ceremony will take place in March 2026 at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus and will feature nine award categories that give space to achievements of many kinds. The categories recognise creative, athletic, social, community, leadership, and other forms of contribution, reflecting the diverse talents of young women across the island of Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Aoife Blowick, Senior Manager for TrailblazHER, said:

“These awards recognise not just achievement, but potential. The TY TrailblazHER Awards are about empowering young women to see themselves as the leaders, innovators and changemakers of tomorrow. At TU Dublin, we are proud to support TrailblazHER in creating opportunities that encourage young women to dream bigger and go further.”

The TY TrailblazHER Awards form part of TU Dublin’s commitment to advancing gender equality by recognising confidence, leadership, and potential at a formative stage in young women’s lives.

Nominations are open to all female Transition Year students enrolled in secondary schools across the island of Ireland and are welcomed from school staff and community members who work closely with them, including sports coaches, youth workers, volunteers, and arts or music mentors. There is no limit to the number of nominations individuals can submit.

In addition to receiving an award and being in the running to win cash prizes for themselves and their schools, nominees will gain exposure to industry leaders, role models, mentors, and development opportunities. The nomination process also provides schools, community organisations and clubs with a platform to showcase the impact of their work and the achievements of the young women they support on a national stage at TU Dublin.

Nominations will close at 5.00 pm on Friday, 13 February 2026.

For more information, see www.TUDublin.ie/TrailblazHER/TYAwards.