How to Nominate Yourself for an Honorary PhD [Guide 2025]

An online honorary doctorate is a prestigious award given to a deserving candidate who has made certain exceptional contributions to their field of study or society in general. This award is presented by the top universities. To receive this award, there is no prior educational requirement or coursework that is required. In an honorary doctorate degree, the candidates will earn the ‘Dr.’ title after their selection on the basis of their interview.

Those individuals who have made significant contributions in their specialization are entitled to receive this award. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are eligible to receive this award, like leaders, social scientists, scientists, philanthropists, and others. The individuals can choose which university they wish to receive their award from. 

 Candidates can earn their online doctorate degree from foreign universities. Candidates can self-nominate in foreign universities, unlike Indian universities, where individuals receive the award only when the institute nominates them. There are many foreign top universities from which individuals can receive their honorary doctorate, such as the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT). 

Key Aspects of the Online Honorary Doctorate 

Here are a few characteristics of the online honorary doctorate from a candidate’s perspective:

• Candidates who wish to apply to a university to receive an online honorary degree must check the eligibility criteria. 
• Candidates are not required to enroll in any program at the university
• There is no age limit to earn the honorary award
• On receiving the award, the candidate will be a role model for many students, which will motivate them to pursue the same
• The honorary award will open doors to many job opportunities
• The candidates are selected on the basis of their interview 

Application process

The eligibility criteria to receive the award vary depending on the university. Here is the eligibility criterion for the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT) for interested candidates-

• Registration:  Before applying to the university, candidates must check the eligibility criteria to apply for the university. After that, the students need to register on the official website of the University 
• Upload documents: Individuals must upload the required documents during the application process.
• Nomination fee: Applicants need to pay a nomination fee on the university portal 

After filling out the application form, individuals are nominated based on the following criteria:

• Application Review: The university verifies the applicants according to their criteria. 
• Welcome call: If the candidate meets all the criteria, they will get a welcome call from the University regarding the interview date and time. 
• Interview: The interview will be held online. It will be held in detail for approximately 1 to 1.15 hours. 
• Selection: The applicants will be nominated for the honorary award based on their interview. The nominated candidates will receive an E-degree or a physical degree in convocations. 

The selection of the candidates is purely based on the interview. The individuals must be prepared for the interview, which will be conducted online, and it will take approximately 1 to 1.15 hours. The candidates can also ask for a date and time based on their convenience. 

How to receive the award?

The candidates will receive their E-degree by email in the next 30 days after they are selected for the interview. A hard copy will be delivered to the candidate along with a cover letter at their address within 60 to 90 days. 

Eligibility criteria:

The eligibility criteria for candidates applying for an online honorary doctorate vary from university to university.

Here are the eligibility criteria of the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT) for reference: 

•  Candidates who have shown excellence in thought leadership and the resulting impact, in a field that is recognized nationally or internationally. 
•  Persons nominated should be active in an area of activity that is highly relevant to the
• The applicant must align with the values of the institute
• The applicant should recognize the importance of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity.

For better understanding, the following is the requirement for a candidate to apply to receive the honorary award:

Indicators	Honorary Doctorate
Contributions made for society and the community	Required
Impact on National and International Scale	Required
Recognized Qualities of Leadership and Innovation	Required
Sustained Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals	Required
Commitment to Ethical Standards	Required

How to Nominate Yourself for an Honorary PhD Program

 Unlike the Indian universities or Institutes, in foreign universities, individuals can self-nominate. Here are a few tips for the candidates to nominate themselves for the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT), as an example from a student’s perspective. 

 Section 1 - Nominee Details

• Name of Nominee
• Title
• Qualifications
• Current Position
• Past Position
• Contact
• Address
• Email
• Telephone Number
• LinkedIn Profile

Candidates are also required to submit references, who will be contacted only by the committee to assist with their decisions. 

Section 2 - Your details

• Name of Proposal:
  • Title
  • Contact Email
  • Telephone Number
  • Signature
  • Date
• Name of Endorser:
  • Title
  • Contact Email
  • Telephone Number
  • Signature
  • Date

Section 3

This section includes questions that need to be answered in detail. Candidates' answers will determine their selection for the honorary award.  

1.  Please summarize why you want to nominate yourself for an Honorary Degree, with reference to the above criteria, in not more than 100 words
2. In one or two sentences, summarise one key change that the nominee has made and how/why their achievement is important and relevant to society.
3. Please give further information to support your nomination and the mutual value of such an award to both the recipient and the institute. It is helpful to the Committee’s discussions if you include with the case an up-to-date biographic summary or resumé of the nominee. 

Section 4-  Conferment of the award

Honorary Degrees can be conferred at any suitable event during the academic year, as well as at summer and winter award ceremonies. The choice of occasion should be guided by the basis on which the nomination was made. Please indicate below scheduling preferences and whether you are aware of a suitable event that is linked to the recipient.

Section 5 – Future relationship with the nominee 

Please indicate whether a relationship between the institute and the nominee might be developed in future years. (Please note: this does not influence the Committee’s decision to recommend an award.)

Section 6 – The honorary degree process and strict confidentiality

The candidate's application is kept confidential. If the Committee considers the nominee to be worthy of an honorary degree, a recommendation will go forward to the Institute Senate. If the  Senate approves the award, the Vice-Chancellor will write to the nominee inviting them to accept the award.

For more details, candidates can visit the European Institute of Management and Technology’s (EIMT) nomination form.