MBE
MBE is an acronym with multiple meanings, including Member of the Order of the British Empire (a British honour), Molecular Beam Epitaxy (a thin-film deposition technique), Multistate Bar Examination (a component of bar exams in the United States), and Minority Business Enterprise Certification (a designation for businesses owned by underrepresented groups). Additional specialized uses exist, such as certain academic degrees. See the relevant sections below for details.Member of the Order of the British Empire
History and Establishment
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was instituted by King George V on 4 June 1917 through Letters Patent, during the First World War, to recognize contributions to the war effort beyond traditional military combat roles, particularly in civilian voluntary services such as nursing, administrative support, and munitions work.[1][2] This marked a significant expansion of the British honours system, which had previously been limited largely to political, military, and aristocratic elites; the new order was explicitly open to both men and women from all social classes, with women eligible for damehoods in higher ranks, making it the first chivalric order to broadly honor female public service.[3][2] The creation stemmed from recommendations by committees formed in 1916 to address the inadequacy of existing honours for wartime non-combatants, modeling its structure on the French Legion of Honour with five classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE).[2] Initially comprising a single civilian division, the order was divided into separate civil and military divisions in December 1918 to better distinguish peacetime and wartime services, with the military wing honoring non-gallantry roles such as logistics and medical support.[3][2] The first investitures occurred on 18 September 1917, when King George V personally presented awards at Ibrox Park in Glasgow during a visit to industrial war production sites, recognizing early recipients for their contributions to the home front effort.[1] Though originally intended as a temporary measure to conclude after the war, the order was made permanent in 1922, having already awarded approximately 25,000 honours by 1921, reflecting its role in democratizing recognition for services in charity, science, arts, and public administration.[1] Unlike prior orders, it imposed few numerical limits on membership and allowed honorary awards to foreigners.[2]Award Criteria and Nomination Process
The Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) recognizes outstanding achievement or service to the community, characterized by long-term, significant impact that stands out as an example to others.[4] This award, the lowest rank in the civil division of the Order, emphasizes sustained contributions at a local level, distinguishing it from higher honors like the OBE or CBE, which require broader regional or national roles.[5] Nominations are assessed based on evidence of real, measurable outcomes rather than mere length of service, with priority given to innovative or entrepreneurial efforts that benefit specific communities.[4] Anyone may nominate an individual for an MBE, provided they are not nominating themselves; self-nominations are not permitted.[6] The process begins with submission via an online form at the UK government's nomination portal or by emailing a completed downloadable form to the Honours Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.[7] Nominees must remain unaware of the submission to maintain confidentiality, and nominators are required to provide:- Detailed contact information for the nominee, including name, age, address, and occupation.
- A comprehensive citation outlining the specific achievements, their duration (typically years of sustained effort), and quantifiable impacts.
- At least two supporting letters from individuals unrelated to the nominator who can attest to the nominee's work.
- Supporting evidence, such as press clippings, testimonials, or records of community benefits.[7] [8]