How to Nominate a Fedora Hero for the 2026 Mentor and Contributor Awards

Introduction

The Fedora Project thrives because of its incredible community of contributors and mentors. Every year, the project honors those who go above and beyond — whether by writing documentation, testing releases, guiding newcomers, or organizing events. The Mentor and Contributor Recognition 2026 program is your chance to shine a spotlight on the people who make Fedora great. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire nomination process, from understanding the criteria to submitting your entry before the deadline. By following these steps, you can help ensure that the most deserving Fedora heroes receive the recognition they deserve at Flock To Fedora 2026.

What You Need

Before you begin, gather the following materials and information:

• Internet access to the Fedora wiki and nomination form.
• Details about the nominee — their Fedora username, contributions, and impact.
• Specific examples of their work (e.g., code commits, wiki edits, mentoring sessions, event coordination).
• Knowledge of nomination guidelines (available on the Fedora wiki link below).
• A few minutes of your time to fill out the form thoughtfully.
• Deadline awareness: Nominations close on 15 May 2026.

Step-by-Step Nomination Guide

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Recognition Program

Start by visiting the official Fedora wiki page for the Contributor Recognition Program 2026. This page explains the categories (such as mentor recognition and contributor recognition), the judging criteria, and how winners will be announced at Flock To Fedora 2026. Read through the guidelines carefully so you understand what qualities and contributions are valued. This step ensures your nomination aligns with the program’s goals.

Find more information on the wiki.

Step 2: Identify a Deserving Fedora Hero

Think about the Fedora contributors and mentors you’ve interacted with. Who has made a lasting impression? Consider:

• A mentor who helped you navigate the community during your first days.
• A developer who tirelessly fixes bugs or writes new features.
• A writer who produces clear, helpful documentation.
• An event organizer who brings the community together.
• Anyone whose efforts have reshaped the landscape of the project.

Your nominee could be a veteran or a relative newcomer — what matters is the impact they’ve made.

Step 3: Gather Evidence of Their Contributions

To make a strong nomination, you need concrete examples. Collect:

• Links to their work: commit logs, wiki pages, forum posts, meeting logs, or event pages.
• Testimonials: personal stories of how they helped you or others.
• Quantifiable achievements: number of packages maintained, mentees guided, presentations given.

Having this information ready will allow you to complete the form accurately and persuasively.

Step 4: Complete the Nomination Form

Access the official nomination form using the link provided by the Fedora Project. The form will ask for:

1. Your name and contact information (optional, so the committee can follow up).
2. The nominee’s Fedora username and real name (if known).
3. A description of their contributions, focusing on specific examples.
4. An explanation of why they deserve recognition.

Take your time to write clearly and enthusiastically. Use the evidence you gathered in Step 3 to support your nomination.

Submit your nominations here.

Step 5: Review and Submit Before the Deadline

Before hitting submit, double-check all information for accuracy. Ensure that:

• All links work and point to the correct pages.
• The nominee’s name and username are spelled correctly.
• Your description is compelling and error-free.
• The submission date is on or before 15 May 2026.

Late nominations will not be considered, so be sure to submit well ahead of the cutoff.

Step 6: Share the News and Celebrate

After submitting, consider telling the nominee (discreetly) that you’ve nominated them. This can be a morale boost in itself. Additionally, spread the word among your Fedora circles so others can also nominate deserving individuals. The more nominations, the richer the recognition pool. Finally, mark your calendar for Flock To Fedora 2026, where the winners will be announced — it’s a celebration of the entire community’s achievements.

Tips for a Successful Nomination

• Be specific: Vague praise like “they are helpful” is less effective than “they spent five hours troubleshooting my installation and created a step-by-step guide afterwards.” Specifics make your nomination stand out.
• Highlight unsung heroes: While well-known contributors are easy to think of, many quiet volunteers do essential work behind the scenes. Nominate them — your recognition might be the first they’ve received.
• Include direct quotes: If others have expressed gratitude for the nominee, include those words. It adds weight to your nomination.
• Don’t wait until the last minute: Give yourself time to reflect on the best candidate and craft a thoughtful submission.
• Consider multiple categories: If the form allows, you can nominate the same person for both mentor and contributor recognition if they excel in both areas.
• Encourage others to nominate: One nomination is good; several strong nominations for the same person can reinforce their impact.

Your nomination is more than a form — it’s a heartfelt acknowledgment that can inspire your Fedora hero to continue their amazing work. Thank you for being part of this community effort to celebrate excellence.