This IADA FAQ explains how to enter architecture awards, prepare your project and understand the judging process. Find the design awards eligibility rules, architecture awards submission requirements and guidance on your participant account, drafts, project images and trophies.
For the current edition, check the entry fees and deadlines, explore award categories and read the competition terms. Ready to begin? Create a participant account. Already registered? Open your account to manage projects and materials.
1. IADA registration and eligibility
What are the design awards eligibility requirements?
Individuals aged 18 or older and companies with a valid tax number may participate, subject to the eligibility and jurisdiction restrictions in the competition terms.
How do I register and enter a project?
- Create a participant account and confirm your email when registering by email.
- Sign in and choose Register New Project. Enter the project and billing details, select your nominations and pay with Stripe or PayPal.
- Open the paid project in My Entries, add your materials and required permissions, then choose Save and submit.
Account creation, payment and project submission are separate steps. Your Overview shows where to continue; no registration key is required.
What if I do not receive my account activation or payment email?
Check your Inbox and Spam folders. If you registered by email but have not activated your account, use Resend activation email. After signing in, check Payments for the recorded payment status before trying to pay again. If you still need help, contact ADC with your account email and project title.
Do I still need a registration key?
No. New registrations and materials are managed through your participant account. Use your email and password, or a connected sign-in option. If you forget your password, use Reset password. The new participant account displays only projects registered in the new system. Projects from the previous system are not displayed.
What if I register close to the deadline?
Registration and submission have separate deadlines. Check the current schedule and the submission deadline and time zone shown in your account. Allow time for payment confirmation, uploading and reviewing your materials. Registration or payment alone is not a completed submission.
We are a construction company. Can we participate in the awards?
Yes. Anyone involved in a project is allowed to submit it, as long as accurate author information is provided and the submitter has the author's consent for publication.
2. Architecture awards submission requirements
How do I submit my project materials?
Sign in, open My Entries and choose your paid project. Complete the description, author or designer, project country, image credits, cover and any supporting materials. Confirm your authority to submit and permission to use the materials. Choose Save as draft to continue later, or Save and submit when ready. Check the Submitted status in My Entries.
What information and materials are required?
- Project title and description in English.
- Author or designer, project country and image credits or copyright owner.
- A square cover image of at least 1024 × 1024 pixels.
- Both required permissions concerning submission rights and use of the project materials.
You can add up to eight supporting images, studio information and supported video or audio links. The editor also offers an optional separate description for publication. Keep identifying names and logos out of the jury presentation where the competition anonymity rules require this; provide credits in the dedicated fields.
Which image formats and sizes can I upload?
Use JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 5 MB and 24 megapixels per project image. The cover must be square and at least 1024 × 1024 pixels. Choose and confirm a square crop in the editor, or upload an image already cropped to a square. You may add up to eight supporting images. The system optimizes uploaded images for display; keep text and details clearly readable.
Can I edit my project after submitting it?
Yes, while the submission period is open. Open the project in My Entries, update the materials and save your changes. Check that all required fields and permissions are complete and that the project remains Submitted. Removing the cover returns the project to Draft until you replace it and submit again. After the submission deadline, the original entry is read-only. Contact ADC if a correction is needed after closing.
How do multiple nominations work for one project?
One project can have several paid nominations in your account. You prepare one set of materials, used for all nominations attached to that project. You can purchase additional nominations from the project while that option is available; they appear after payment is confirmed. If you need different presentations for different nominations, register and pay for separate entries.
Does my project presentation need special boards?
No. Upload a clear cover and supporting images directly in the project editor. Photographs, renderings, drawings, diagrams and presentation boards may be included as images in the accepted formats. Follow the file limits and anonymity requirements shown in the account and competition terms.
Can I manage more than one project in my account?
Yes. Use Register New Project for each additional project. Each project has its own registration, payment and materials, and all of your entries are accessible from the same participant account.
What is a nomination (category)?
A nomination is a competition category. Choose nominations that match your project from the complete list of categories and nominations. The first nomination is included in the project registration fee; each additional nomination is paid separately. You can add nominations after registration: open your project in the participant account, select Add nominations, choose the relevant nominations and complete payment while registration remains open. See entry fees for current prices.
Can conceptual projects enter IADA?
Yes. Conceptual projects can be entered in any relevant category. During registration, first indicate whether your entry is a concept or a completed project, then choose the category and nominations.
How old can my project be?
Projects must not be older than seven years from the date of registration.
Can I submit a project that participated before?
Yes. A project can be submitted again, even if it was a winner in a previous edition of the awards.
What happens if I miss the submission deadline?
Your project may be excluded if the required materials are not submitted by the deadline. Prepare, save and check your submission in your participant account before the submission period closes.
Can I save a draft and finish later?
Yes. Save as draft keeps your entered details so you can return later. Upload your materials and save text changes before leaving the editor. Only saved materials can be submitted; an unpaid registration is not a submitted project.
What happens to a complete draft at the deadline?
When submission closes, a paid and saved draft is automatically submitted if it has all required details, a cover image, paid nominations and both required permissions. Incomplete drafts are not automatically submitted. We recommend submitting and checking your status before the deadline rather than relying on automatic submission.
Where can I check payments and invoices?
Open Payments in your account to check payment status and download an invoice PDF when one is available. Company payments generate an invoice automatically; individual participants and students who need an invoice must request it before payment. The same rule applies when purchasing additional nominations.
Where can I find my project status and history?
Use Overview for your next steps and My Entries to find drafts, submitted projects and unpaid registrations. Project History contains entries moved to the archive after results are published.
Can I write a separate description for publication?
Yes. The project editor offers an optional separate publication description. If you leave that option off, the main project description is used. Complete the dedicated author, studio and image-credit fields and review your permissions before submitting.
3. Architecture awards judging criteria
How are winners selected?
Each jury member evaluates projects on Innovation & Originality, Design & Aesthetic Quality, and Functionality & Spatial Integration. Scores from 1.0 to 10.0 (including decimals) are averaged. The highest-ranked projects receive Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.
Can I contact the jury?
No. Contacting jury members to influence results is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be published on 14 May 2027 in the Winners section. If your project wins, its results will also appear in your participant account, where you can access certificates, winner logos and graphic materials.
4. IADA trophy questions and delivery
How do I order a trophy or winner certificate?
Winners can order a trophy and a winner certificate through their participant account. Orders are available for a limited period: 30 days after the award results are announced. Complete your order within this window. Current prices are shown in the account.
How long does it take to receive the trophy?
Production and delivery take approximately 7–14 weeks. All orders are sent to production in one batch after the order deadline.
Are there any hidden or additional fees after winning?
No hidden fees. All customs duties and import taxes must be paid by the recipient upon delivery. Redelivery fees may apply if the shipment is returned.
My project won in one category. Can I order more than one trophy?
Yes, you can order an unlimited number of trophies. Each trophy can include custom inscriptions, which is useful if you would like to present them to your partners or collaborators.
5. About IADA
Is IADA a legitimate award?
Yes. IADA, the International Architecture & Design Awards, is organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC), operated by Digital Art Group sp. z o.o., Rybitwy 22/318, 30-722 Kraków, Poland, and has been running since 2019. Projects are evaluated by an independent international jury (see the IADA jury). Each jury member scores entries from 1.0 to 10.0 on Innovation & Originality, Design & Aesthetic Quality, and Functionality & Spatial Integration, and every winning project is published in the Winners section.
How much does it cost to enter IADA 2027?
The fee depends on when you register (first project / each additional nomination): Early Bird until 13 November 2026 – $140 / $90; Advance until 18 December 2026 – $170 / $110; Standard until 29 January 2027 – $200 / $130; Extended until 5 February 2027 – $230 / $150; Late until 9 April 2027 – $260 / $170. Students receive a 50% discount. See Entry fees, Deadlines and our step-by-step guide How to enter IADA.
Is IADA related to other awards called IADA?
No. On this website IADA stands for the International Architecture & Design Awards, organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC) at ad-c.org. It is not affiliated with other organisations or awards that use the same abbreviation.
Still have a question about your entry?
Contact the ADC team with your account email, project title and entry reference, if available. For examples of published projects, explore the winners gallery.