RIBA International Awards information and entry guidelines

Entries for RIBA International Awards will open on 18 June and close on 31 July 2025, 5pm (BST).

We hope you’re considering entering your project for an International Award. On this page you can find the information you need to check if you are eligible to enter and what information you need to complete your entry.

New for this year

We’re launching two new awards: RIBA Asia Pacific Awards and RIBA Middle East Awards. For the first time, these regions will be invited to submit projects for a new stage in our international awards programme as part of a pilot. To find out more about this new expansion, read our latest news article: RIBA launches Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award.

Entry Criteria

RIBA International Awards welcomes any qualified architect from across the globe registered with their local institution. Applicants are asked to provide evidence of their membership of an organisation such as RIBA, or registration with an architecture registration board. If the applicant is not a member of any such organisation, we will need details of qualification certificates and the academic institute from which they graduated.

To enter, the lead architect must:

• be a qualified architect registered with their local institution
• submit a project outside of the UK
• submit an architectural structure that has been completed between July 2020 and July 2024. Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards: for Future Projects and AI Powered Design categories, the project must have been designed in this timeframe.
• submit an architectural structure that has been in occupation for a minimum of one year prior to submitting. Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Awards: not applicable to categories Future Projects, AI Powered Design and Temporary Architecture.
• have the client's permission to submit the project

Deadlines

Entries for International Awards 2026 will open on 18 June 2025. Entries will remain open until 31 July 2025, 5pm (BST).

For all key dates, see the full RIBA Awards timetable.

If you would like to benefit from a RIBA Member discount offered on entry fees, please see more information on becoming a member. To be eligible for the discount, new members must have successfully applied for membership no later than 17 July 2025 in line with the final admissions intake before the awards close for entries.

How to enter

All of the following information will need to be provided in order to complete your awards submission:

Project information

• Project name
• Project address (including county) and postcode if applicable
• Gross internal area in sq m, in the case of largely landscape/ urban design projects gross external area in sq m if applicable
• Net internal area in sq m if applicable
• Contract value/building cost of the project, including build and fit-out if done/overseen by the architect (excluding land costs and fees) if applicable
• Planning approval date and occupation date of the project if applicable
• credit line (i.e. the architect(s)/practice(s)/designer(s). If you worked in collaboration with another practice or architect, you must all be in agreement on the entry and how the project should be credited)

Contact details

• Architect practice/studio name
• Architect practice/studio address
• Contact details for project director/architect, client, and contractor
• Contact for jury visits if applicable
• Press contact
• Photographer details

If you worked in collaboration with another practice or architect then you must all be in agreement on the entry and how the building should be credited.

Project description

A 100 word project summary, giving an overview of the project written in the third person. This should help people understand the project immediately, giving necessary context, including;

• typology or use
• location or setting
• who is the client or end user
• is the scheme a reuse or renovation project
• who made up the design team

A further 350 words describing the key elements of the project, setting out:

• the client’s brief
• materials and method of construction
• summary of timetable, programme, planning and budget constraints
• how the project contributes to its environment, the experience of occupants and wider society
• how the needs of users have been met based upon the principles of inclusive design

This project description will be used in jury meetings and to influence press coverage, so please ensure it fully encapsulates the key elements of your project.

Key consultants

Please include:

• A list of all key consultants to be credited, e.g. structural engineer, services engineer, landscape architect(s) with contact details if applicable

These consultants will be credited on all of our online content, press releases, and awards certificates so please ensure they are listed correctly.

Images

Entrants are required to submit the following:

• a minimum of five and up to 10 JPEG images of the project, exceeding 1000 pixels in width, and 700 pixels in height (max file size is 10MB)
• up to five additional JPEG images showing existing buildings or site photographs (max file size is 10MB) if applicable

Entrants must:

• select five of these images to be used for press purposes - we recommend press images to be at least 2000 pixels in height or width and 300dpi
• include a mixture of external and internal shots of the project
• upload each image as single image files, not composite boards - an exception to this rule would be to place the before and after images of a refurb project side by side and upload as one file
• convey the way in which the project relates to its context, as these images are used for judging purposes
• include both wide shots and close ups, and show the building in use, if possible
• not include company logos or text on any images
• include the photographer credit for each image

Drawings

Entrants must also upload:

• a minimum of one and a maximum of six drawing files as JPEG format only (max file size is 2MB)

This should include:

• a location plan (showing the project in context, eg 1:1250)
• a site plan
• a ground floor plan (showing main access)
• a typical floor plan
• two sections

You may upload up to six separate files. These can be configured as one to two drawings per page, if necessary. Please bear in mind the jury will be reading the drawings on A4 pages and on screen, so landscape orientation is preferred if possible.

Photographers

Entrants will need to include:

• the name and contact details of photographer(s)

Please bear in mind:

• we will only use the photographs or other media submitted for the purposes of RIBA Awards
• we will require confirmation that the relevant copyright owner of the photograph or other media submitted has licensed the right to use the photograph or other media of your scheme for all purposes related to the RIBA Awards (in print, social and digital media). This might include publicising an exhibition (of winning entries), a lecture series (featuring the winning architects), or promoting the award itself
• photographers will always be credited on their images, so supplying us with the correct information on each photograph is essential

Sustainability

• Our awards criteria is aligned to support the 2030 Climate Challenge and the measures articulated within the challenge are increasingly being used to define the standards expected of RIBA Award winning projects.
• Projects are expected to meet statutory targets in achieving sustainable outcomes and measure and verify how they perform. Please complete as many questions as possible so that we can understand the credentials of your scheme.
• You may find it helpful to refer to our RIBA International Awards Sustainability Guide for further guidance about how to answer these questions. The guide also lists all questions in the sustainability section of the form, should you wish to download and send to any external consultants to fill in and send back to you. Please note that all figures must then be completed in the online submission.
• If mandatory data is required but not applicable to your project, please insert ‘0’ (zero) in the data fields in the online sustainability form - i.e. a bridge will not be able to provide some mandatory data.

UN Global Compact

• RIBA supports the universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption that form the UN Global Compact
• as a signatory, RIBA is committed to upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethics in architecture and the wider construction industry
• RIBA reserves the right to request further information about the ways in which the scheme complies with the principles of the UN Global Compact and will take this into account when determining awards

Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards

Unbuilt through to built projects in these regions are eligible to enter up to 10 award categories. For an increased chance of winning, the same project can be submitted to multiple categories. And there is an award to highlight and showcase the work of RIBA Members. Our entry fees section shows how entries and categories are priced.

Award Categories

• Adaptive reuse award
  Showcasing projects that exemplify adaptive reuse through the creative transformation of existing buildings, contributing significantly to environmental, social, or economic sustainability. The project should highlight the value of conservation, retrofitting, and the revitalisation of historic architecture.
• AI powered design award
  Highlighting projects that have applied AI technologies in any phase of the design to fabrication process. The project should focus on the degree of innovative application, technology integration, and actual benefits.
• Design for living award
  Recognising projects that enhance the quality of life, comfort, and wellbeing of their residents. The project should demonstrate innovation, adaptability, and a strong response to modern and different living needs.
• Future projects award
  Rewarding visionary and forward thinking unbuilt or conceptual projects that offer innovative design solutions and anticipate future trends in the built environment, as well as resolve big societal issues. The project should showcase innovation, feasibility, and their potential to influence the future.
• Mixed use award
  Championing projects that successfully integrate multiple uses into a single building or development, contributing to the vibrancy and sustainability of urban environments. The project should demonstrate the creativity and functional design that blend different uses and reflect innovative responses to the challenges of urban growth and density.
• RIBA Member award
  Celebrating projects submitted by a RIBA Member for outstanding architectural excellence, overall impact and significant contribution to architecture in the region.
• Social architecture award
  Commending projects that deliver meaningful and lasting social benefits through human-centred design. The project should emphasise the broader contribution to its neighbouring community and wider society.
• Sustainability and resilience award
  Celebrating projects that demonstrate outstanding achievement in sustainable design and resilience to environmental challenges. The project should emphasise building solutions that prioritise carbon reduction across the full life cycle from design and construction to operation and end-of-life.
• Temporary architecture award
  Showcasing non-permanent architecture that successfully transforms a space, engages the public, or responds to a particular event, place, or cultural moment. The project should highlight spatial interventions designed with temporality in mind - whether through a limited lifespan, removability, or relocation.
• Urban regeneration award
  Recognising projects that demonstrate excellence in the transformation of urban space. The project should demonstrate its ambition in shaping the future of the built environment, and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the wider context, whilst respecting its urban heritage.

Only projects eligible for visits in the categories will be considered for the International Awards for Excellence. Non-visited categories such as AI Powered Design, Future Projects, and Temporary Architecture will be judged separately.

Countries eligible to participate

For RIBA International Awards, any project located outside the UK is able to enter. You are also eligible to enter the Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards if your project is located in the countries listed below:

Asia Pacific Award

Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Papa New Guinea , Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

Middle East Award

Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates.

Use of information

Data, including images, plans, drawings, technical and budget information, and narrative text submitted in support of all RIBA Awards entries will be used by RIBA and judges acting on its behalf for the purposes of assessing awards entries in the current year of judging.

Any information relating to budget, personal details, such as company names or client names, and addresses that the individual or agent preparing the application wishes to remain confidential during and subsequent to the judging process has the facility (through the online entry system) to mark this information as confidential during the application process.

Information marked as confidential will not be shared for publicity or any form of public dissemination. Information not marked as confidential will be assumed to be suitable for public dissemination. For the avoidance of doubt, information marked confidential will be shared with awards juries acting on behalf of RIBA for the purposes of evaluating and assessing awards entries.

Juries will be made aware of their obligation to treat the information as confidential beyond the immediate purposes of assessing awards entries. The visual data (images, plans, drawings) will also be used by RIBA for the promotion of the awards.

Data will be held by RIBA in perpetuity for the purposes of maintaining a record of the entries and for RIBA archive. This information will not be shared with any third party without the express and prior consent of the author, their clients or agents acting on their behalf.

RIBA collects data for research purposes, except where you have stated that information on the entry form is to be kept confidential. Any data used for research purposes to monitor trends in the profession will remain anonymous and no data from individual projects will be published without consent.

Terms and Conditions

View our RIBA Awards Terms and conditions.

Payment

• payments must be made online using a valid credit or debit card upon submission in GBP sterling - we cannot issue invoices
• the entry fee is dependent on the contract value of the project entered (see payment bands below)
• you cannot alter your entry once payment has been made

Financial support

We offer financial support via discounted or free entry for architects and practices without the financial resources to enter our RIBA Awards programme.

To enquire about or apply for financial support, please email awards@riba.org for more information. Please note that applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry fees

The entry fee is dependent on the contract value of the project.

For Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award, the entry fee will cover one Award category, then per additional category it’s £300.

An early bird fee discount of 10% is applicable if you submit your project before 11:59pm BST on 10 July 2025.

RIBA Members receive a 20% discount on entry fee. If you would like to benefit from the discount, please see more information on becoming a member. Please note, you must have applied for RIBA membership before 17 July 2025 to be eligible.

All fees are shown in GBP excluding VAT. UK VAT will be charged for all entries.

Judging process

RIBA Awards and prizes are the most rigorously judged awards for architectural excellence. No award or prize is given unless the project has been visited by at least one jury. All RIBA awards are judged by award-winning architects and relevant lay assessors. RIBA juries assess design excellence irrespective of style, size or complexity, taking into account constraints of budget, brief and timetable while being sensitive to the economic and social contexts of each project.

Before any visits are made, every judge will read and digest the criteria and study all the submitted materials. They will then visit an agreed list of projects, looking in detail at all aspects, interior and exterior, listen to the story that both architect and client have to tell and interrogate them about the process and its results.

After discussion with fellow judges, they will arrive at their provisional decisions. Once all visits have concluded the jury will meet for a final time to decide the awards.

The above is not applicable to Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award categories: AI Powered Design, Future Projects and Temporary Architecture.

Judging criteria

RIBA Awards celebrate the discipline of architecture, a discipline that touches and supports so many aspects of our daily lives. An award-winning project is one which balances ideas of beauty and culture, history and context with societal concerns for inclusivity and diversity, ecology and sustainability, all bound together in a memorable and emotional spatial experience.

In judging projects for awards, juries will assess them against the following ten criteria. Differences in project complexity, scale, budget and procurement method are acknowledged, and will be taken into account in the judging process.

1. Is it skilfully composed, in plan, section and elevation? Does it possess exceptional qualities of form, scale, space, light and material?
2. Does it show ambition, whether in its understanding of cultural continuity or its pursuit of invention? Does it respond to and support its context?
3. How does the project meet or exceed the client’s brief and aspirations? Does it make a wider contribution to society?
4. Does its form and construction reflect its required design life? Is it robust, flexible and adaptable? Is it carefully detailed and well made?
5. Does it use appropriate construction materials and environmental technologies?
6. Has it made good use of any existing structures on its site, either through the retention and reuse of fabric or the recycling of materials?
7. Has the project taken effective steps to minimise its resource use, and does it contribute positively to biodiversity both on and off-site?
8. Is it sympathetic and imaginative in its treatment of listed structures and in its response to historic contexts?
9. Does the project meet the highest standards for inclusive accessibility?
10. Does the project respond generously to the external environment? Does it enhance or create new public space and green infrastructure?

RIBA Awards resources

• RIBA Awards homepage
  
• RIBA Awards timetable and definitions
• RIBA Awards FAQs