Apply to be a jury member for the 2026 RIBA Awards

Applications to judge the 2026 RIBA Awards are now open.

Every year we seek architects, wider industry professionals and more to help us celebrate and uphold the highest standards in architectural design across the globe.

The task of judging buildings is a fascinating one. It involves considering the complexities faced by building projects with aesthetics, sustainability, conservation, and local context. This requires evaluating the client's brief and how creatively and intelligently it has been fulfilled within budget and planning constraints.

Judges work collectively, maintaining a clear vision of architectural excellence. While challenging, this role is immensely rewarding, offering opportunities for personal and professional development.

Complete the online application for the UK Awards Jury before 27 October 2025.

Complete the online application for the International Awards Jury before 15 January 2026. Early applications are encouraged.

Why apply?

Influence excellence

Play a crucial role in identifying and celebrating the highest standards in architectural design.

Professional growth

Gain a unique opportunity for personal and professional development.

Networking

Connect with leading architects and industry professionals in your region, across the UK and internationally.

Insight

See the latest architectural projects and innovations in your area and hear from the clients and architects behind them.

Who can apply?

As well as our RIBA Members, there are several other roles that are key to the judging process. Each year we also seek established and emerging professionals with a range of experience, skills, and backgrounds to take part. From conservation experts and academics to lay assessors and sustainability professionals there are lots of ways to be involved as a judge.

About the different juries, roles and eligibility

Regional jury

Each regional jury typically consist of a jury chair, regional representative, lay assessor and experts in sustainability and conservation. After an online briefing session in January 2026, they meet throughout January and February 2026 to shortlist projects based on the information submitted by award applicants.

Juries will then visit each of their shortlisted projects throughout February and March 2026. These visits are coordinated by the RIBA awards team and can involve several days traveling and possible overnight stays. Post-visits, the jury select their winners and each region’s chair will present their recommendations to RIBA Awards Group for consideration in April 2026.

Architect jury chair and regional representative:

• UK-based architect in a RIBA Chartered Practice/organisation.
• notable work, including peer-reviewed national or international architecture awards.
• won or placed highly in high-profile design competitions or equivalent achievements in the last 10 years.
• regional representative will judge in their local area.
• jury chair must lead the panel for up to seven days, including shortlisting meetings, visits, presenting award recommendations to the Awards Group and writing citations for all winning projects in their region.

Lay assessor

• not trained or qualified as an architect but has significantly contributed to architecture in a broad sense in their creative or technical field through promotion, administration, outreach, sustainable community building, or education of future generations.

Conservation expert

• architect specialising in conservation with extensive experience in historic buildings.
• accredited by RIBA Conservation Register and/or the AABC register and/or leading a specialist conservation team or practice.
• must have received peer-reviewed awards for conservation and/or be part of RIBA Conservation Group.

Sustainability expert

• an architect, engineer, or designer specialising in sustainability in the built environment.
• works in a practice committed to sustainability and have received peer-reviewed architecture or construction awards for sustainability.

Academic

• an accomplished professional in architectural education with a distinguished career as a tutor, researcher, writer, or critic.
• significantly contributed to architectural education, engaged in higher education teaching, or effectively led teaching or administrative staff in a school of architecture.
• preference for RIBA Members or those affiliated with RIBA-validated Schools of Architecture.

To ensure there are more opportunities available, jury members from 2025 will not be considered for juries in 2026. However, they are able to reapply in 2027.

International jury

Local Ambassador will be an architect with a knowledge of the local area and/or region where the project is situated, and be able to undertake the project visit in person. The Local Ambassador will be required to attend an online meeting to present their recommendations, thoughts and analysis on the project they have visited.

Grand Jury will be international award winning architects and relevant lay assessors. They will be required to travel for consecutive days in September 2026 to the shortlisted projects, evaluate and select the International Prize winner.

Architect:

• must be part of an internationally recognised architecture organisation with significant work, including peer-reviewed international architecture awards, high-profile competition wins, or equivalent achievements in the last 10 years.

Lay Assessor:

• not trained or qualified as an architect but has significantly contributed to international architecture through promotion, administration, outreach, sustainable community building, or education.

Other:

• Includes individuals who are actively engaged in and have made significant contributions to the built environment. This may encompass conservation experts, sustainability specialists, academics, researchers, urbanists, and other related professionals.

RIBA Awards Group

RIBA Awards Group comprises of RIBA Members, all leaders in their respective fields within the built environment. They meet several times a year to ensure consistently high standards are applied across RIBA Awards. Their role is to establish policy, develop and apply judging criteria, and review award submissions to select winners in accordance with RIBA Awards criteria. The Awards Group has direct responsibility for judging the RIBA Awards in the UK and International.

Valuing a diversity of views: accessibility and inclusion

RIBA recognises the significant positive impact of a diverse judging panel in enriching our awards. We are committed to accessibility and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds. Should you require any adjustments during the application process or judging period, please contact RIBA Awards team at awards@riba.org to discuss any requirements.