Candidates must not currently hold a permanent academic post, or have ever held a permanent academic post in the past, or have received, before the start date of the award, the promise of a permanent academic post.
Players nominated for the Discovery of the Season award must be 21 or under on the date of the Premiership final to qualify, ruling out a number of this season's impressive young performers.
Darren Byfield collected the top goalscorer award for his eight strikes during the season to date, while the champagne moment of the season prize went to Jamie McCombe for his overhead kick goal in the 2-1 win over Hull City on 1 March.