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What are the eligibility rules for entering the D&AD Awards 2026?

Eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, and what types of work qualify.

Summary: Learn the full eligibility requirements for all the categories for the D&AD Awards including rules for older work, collaborations, self-promo, charity projects and competition entries.

Eligibility Periods

All categories, apart from the below exceptions - please check!

Commercially released between 1 January 2025 and 15 April 2026 for most categories (see below exceptions)

Exceptions

New Brand Identity, Brand Identity Refresh, Luxury/Branding, Health & Wellbeing/Branding & Pharma/Branding
Entries in these categories must have been commercially released and launched, significantly changed or updated between 1 January 2024 and 15 April 2026.

Brand Transformation & Cultural Influence
Entries in these categories must have been commercially released and launched, significantly changed or updated between 1 January 2023 and 15 April 2026.

Digital Experience Design / Product Evolution
Changes must have taken place between 1 January 2023 and 15 April 2026.

Product Design / Prototypes
The prototype must have been released for audience testing within the qualifying entry period for the Awards.

PR / Established Campaigns
Campaigns must have been launched prior to 1 January 2025 and be commercially active within the Awards qualifying entry period.

Impact
Entries in the Impact category are subject to a qualifying entry period of 1 January 2023 and 15 April 2026. In accordance with general awards rules, work can be re-submitted year-on-year, provided it has been developed or significantly changed.

Future Impact
Entries in Future Impact must have been developed or significantly changed between 1 January 2025 and 15 April 2026.

Sustained Impact
Entries in the Sustained Impact category must have been commercially released and launched, significantly changed or updated between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024 with evident increased impact between 1 January 2025 and 15 April 2026.

My work was created before the eligibility dates, can I still enter?
If the work was released for the first time before 1 January 2025 it is eligible only under one of these two conditions:

  • The majority of the work was launched between 1 January 2025 and 15 April 2026 (only applies to campaign entries) .
  • The work was changed/updated then re-launched between 1 January 2025 and 15 April 2026, having undergone a significant creative development.

Can Two Companies Enter the Same Work?

Two different entrants cannot enter the same work within the same sub-category. If your project is a collaboration with other companies/individuals, check they haven’t entered it first. The first paid entry takes priority.

Can Clients Enter Work?

Yes, clients can enter work produced for them either internally or by an external agency (as long as it has not been entered by the external agency in the same category) – see previous question.

Can I Enter Work Done for Free for a Charity?

Yes, however, to be eligible there must be a contractual relationship between the charity and entrant agency. If the media/ airtime was provided pro-bono we reserve the right to ask for confirmation from the media owner.

Can I Enter Work That Features The D&Ad; Brand?

We do not accept entries where D&AD; is the primary and/or secondary client, or where D&AD; is associated with the work. This includes work that features and/or promotes the D&AD; brand.

Can I Enter Self-Initiated Or Self-Promotional Projects?

Self-promotional work is a piece of work created by a freelancer or company with the purpose of showcasing and promoting their practice. This usually includes, but is not limited to, booklets, magazines, guides or websites. 

Self-promotional work is eligible only if it was commercially released and made available to existing and potential customers. It must not include any third-party names, trade marks, logos and/or any other third-party intellectual property, and must not falsely claim, suggest or imply any association with a third party. 

Self-initiated work refers to a piece of work that wasn't commissioned, and was deliberately created by a freelancer or a company about a general topic, unrelated to their own practice. 

This is generally not accepted. If you’re unsure about your work being eligible, please contact us.

Do You Accept Work Created For The Purpose Of Entering Competitions?

Work produced in response to a competition is only eligible if it was commercially released, and if it was signed off by the client it represents.

Are Entries Accepted Globally?

We are here to support the global community of creative practitioners, and we allow entrants from all backgrounds and localities to submit their work into the D&AD; Awards, except where there are legal impediments in place that prevent us from doing so. D&AD; continuously monitors global legal impediments to remain compliant.