Each of the awards has separate criteria.

Broadly speaking they are open to practitioners, architects, planners, and other built environment professionals, local authorities, construction industries, not for profits and built environment organisations.

All entries must have been completed within the last 6 years.

Please see the entry criteria for each Award category.

There are three sections: Projects Section, Best of Section, and Inspiring Individuals Section. Within these three a total of 16 categories.

Each category has its own dedicated submission form. To access it, click the ‘Learn More & Apply’ button to view guidance/examples and how to submit

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/regeneration-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/climate-change-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/strategic-vision-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/healthy-spaces-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/material-resources-and-researches-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/skills-development-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/culture-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/heritage-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/community-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/best-of-development-companies-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/best-of-built-environment-practice-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/best-of-not-for-profit-organisation-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/best-of-university-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/best-of-local-authority-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/individual-of-the-year-ifga26

https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/young-talent-ifga26

All Category Categories are open to all whether UK or International.

Applications are made online using a simple form on our website. We have condensed all the main steps into our the ‘How to enter’ guide.

Applications need to be made through our website. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications by any other method. If you have any problem accessing this platform, email us: inspireawards@thorntoneducationtrust.org

Please note that all applications must be written in English.

You can make as many projects as you wish but you can only make a maximum of 2 categories per project (excluding the Best of…). Each entering one project in 2 categories, each one needs to be written specifically for that category. Please read its guidance notes.

Yes. While these Awards are run by a not for profit organisation, we charge entry fees to cover essential running and administrative costs. We appreciate your understanding and honesty when entering.

Fees vary by entry type:

a) For the Project Section:

• £69.00 per entry for small not-for-profits

• £149.00 per entry for built environment companies, development companies, local authorities, and institutions

b) For the Best of Category:

• £60.00 per entry for small not-for-profits

• £129.00 per entry for built environment companies, development companies, local authorities, and institutions

See discounted fees when one puts in a project for two categories - see point 7

Yes, you may submit the same entry in up to one additional category. To support this, we offer a discounted rate for your second category entry of the same project:

• £55.00 for small not-for-profits
  (Apply discount code: IFGA26notprofit2ndcategory at the end of the submission form)

• £115.00 for profit companies and local authorities
  (Apply discount code: IFGA26company2ndcategory at the end of the submission form)

All forms are divided into a few short sections asking you to tell us about the project, the approach taken, the involvement of children and young people, and its impact, where relevant.

You will also have the opportunity to upload up to 6 sides of A4 of supporting material, which could include photos, press coverage, statistics, testimonials or other evidence of the project (maximum file size 20MB).

We ask for this information not only for the Awards, but also to help inform the next Empowering Environments Report, our research developed alongside and following the Awards.

You can save your application and return to it later, so you do not need to complete it all in one sitting. A full copy of your application will also be automatically emailed to you after submission.

Please note that you cannot make changes to your application once it has been submitted. TET reserves the right to amend the category entered where appropriate.

If you have difficulty uploading images, please try again a few times as the upload can occasionally be temperamental. If the problem persists, please email inspireawards@thorntoneducationtrust.org and we will help.

We want the Awards to do more than recognise good work. Selected projects may be showcased through Thornton Education Trust’s research, communications and Sense of Place mapping project, helping to share approaches, ideas and learning with a wider audience.

Projects with a strong focus on place may be considered for inclusion in the Sense of Place map, while selected entrants may also have the opportunity to contribute to a future TET Dialogue panel, sharing their experience and learning with others working across the built environment.

Guidance for each category has a link which will be sent to you when you submit your email through the ‘Learn more & apply’ button for each category.

We recommend that you have at least one project submitted in one of this year’s categories or shortlisted between 2021–2024. However, if you can clearly demonstrate relevant examples that were not included in the awards, these will also be accepted.

We invite nominations for individuals—whether working independently or as part of a team—who have gone the extra mile and made an outstanding contribution to the field of built environment engagement.

Nominees for Special Recognition Category (either in the New Talent or Individual of the Year ) must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be part of a project entered in the past awards;

• Be a member of a winning or shortlisted team from the past six years (2021–2026);

• Where no project has been submitted, individuals may still be considered if sufficient evidence of impact is provided.

Please note: Third-party nominations only are accepted for this category.

No, there is no fee to submit a nomination under the Special Recognition Category.

We will ask for a lead contact person who we will liaise with on all correspondence.

An independent panel of leaders in education and the built environment select the winners, after carefully reviewing all entries.

The judging panel for IFGA26 has been published here.‍ ‍Further judges to be announced shortly.

After closing the submission portal, by 16th October 2026, the panel of judges will gather to articulate the shortlist.

We will advise all shortlisted finalists in writing mid November, while the winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and Party on 8th December 2026

TET reserves the right to announce winners first, and the manner and details of announcing this is at our discretion. 

Fees can’t be refunded should you choose to withdraw.

TET reserves the right to publish and promote all content and imagery from submissions and you agree that relevant photography licences/permissions have been obtained. You agree that to the best of your knowledge we are free to use any images supplied to us, and grant TET permission to use these on our website and in any associated publicity without infringement of copyright. Credit line should be supplied.

Each year selected winners are invited to present their work through a series of online presentations and are considered as potential panelists for our quarterly TET Dialogue events.  Winning award entries are also added to the TET Resource Bank, featured in our annual Empowering Environment Report and on our interactive Sense of Place Mapping.

Tickets are available at £55 per person and include the awards ceremony, drinks and canapes. Venue and Tickets: TBC

Yes!

Each award category is open for sponsorship as well the IFG Awards Ceremony, the IFGA itself, a prize for the Individuals of the Year.

Download our Sponsorship package here.

We would be delighted to discuss opportunities. Please email us at inspireawards@thorntoneducationtrust.org for more details.