How to Apply

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Entries are submitted online via the Civic Trust Awards Application system on the CTA website each year during June/July.
Schemes eligible for the 2026 Application Round must be completed between 1st January 2021 and 1st September 2025 - this includes any surrounding areas which form part of the design.

Projects can be entered into the following categories:

• Civic Trust Awards "Standard" (one individual building, structure or space)
• Civic Trust Awards "Large/Multi-Use Projects" (multiple buildings, use classes, structures or spaces on one site by the same architecture practice/design team) You must state the number of buildings, structures or spaces within the entry to be judged.
• Pro-Tem Awards (for temporary projects or installations) You must state if the project or installation is still in situ.
• AABC Conservation Awards (projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation)

Please ensure that you enter your project into the correct category. Should your project be entered into the incorrect category, then unfortunately it will be deemed unsuccessful at the first stage assessment. 

Application Guidance
The online application system offers prompts throughout to assist you with guidance for submitting your entry.

Supporting Documentation

Your application must be accompanied by the following supporting documentation and uploaded as part of your submission. PDFs of the drawings/plans are made available to assessors and National Judging Panel to view online:

• Site Context Plan (Multiple Page PDF format, file size 5MB max) Please include a site plan of the scheme of sufficient scale to show the site in relation to streetscape and surrounding buildings.
• Plans and Cross Sections (Multiple Page PDF format, file size 5MB max) Must be AS CONSTRUCTED drawings and at suitable scale to view online. For landscaping or public realm projects, a plan showing scheme layout/scheme details can be included. 
  Accessibility/Universal Design As constructed plans/drawings identifying specific accessible features is also encouraged where appropriate. 
• Landscaping Plan (Multiple Page PDF format, file size 5MB max) For landscaping schemes, public realm projects, or where hard/soft landscaping forms part of the application, a plan showing scheme layout/scheme details should be included.
• Reuse/Adaptation Projects (Multiple Page PDF format, file size 5MB max) If the scheme is a Reuse/Adaption project, restoration, extension or conversion, or for AABC Conservation Awards entries, before and after plans should be submitted and clearly labelled in this section. Additions/extensions should be marked in red for clarity. Before and after pictures can also be included within this multiple page PDF which will be used for judging purposes only and not for production of the winners brochure

Applicants should also submit up to 20 individual photos (30 for Multi-Use Projects) of the scheme. Photos must be supplied in high resolution JPEG format (not PDF or TIFF) within the max 5MB limit. All photos must be clean images (free from borders, notes, text etc) and must not be a picture collage. 

Supporting images should include:

• Context Photos - Photos of the completed scheme taken from a distance are essential from at least two viewpoints to demonstrate the context in which the scheme fits within its surroundings (max file size 5MB per image).
• Scheme Photos - both external and internal photos should be selected to give a sense of the project and provide viewpoints from multiple elevations. Photos of specific detailing or materials should only be provided where these are essential to the judging process (max file size 5MB per image). 

As the Civic Trust Awards celebrate the positive impact that projects have had on the community they serve and their users, photos should show the scheme completed and in use. These images are used for production of the winners’ brochure, on the Civic Trust Awards website and on social media. 

Before Photos - for buildings/schemes that have undergone restoration, conservation or reuse/adaptation, these elements must be clearly identified within the application materials submitted. 
Before and after images can be included within the  multiple page “Reuse/Adaptation Projects PDF” uploaded in the supporting documents section of the online application system. These images will not be used on the website or in the winners brochure. 

DO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPECIAL CHARACTERS OR SYMBOLS when labelling/crediting images, as this will corrupt the file, for example  ©   @ 

Images should be numbered 1 - 20 (or 30 for Large/Multi-Use Projects) with the name of the photographer and a simple description on each

E.g. 1 New Temple Front Elevation by Rory Gardiner

Applicants are also encouraged to provide a short video (max 1 minute) of the scheme. A link to the video (hosted on YouTube or similar platform) should be included as part of your application. 

Please note, all applicants must have the permission of the copyright owner before submitting photographs with their entry. The Civic Trust Awards scheme reserves the right to utilise any photos submitted for publicity purposes. All winning schemes will be featured on the Civic Trust Awards Website and in Commemorative Winners Brochure.

The Civic Trust Awards can retain the information provided in your application (including supporting information) and may use it for the promotion of the Civic Trust Awards scheme or any associated business. Applicant details will not be traded or sold to third parties without prior consent. Information may be shared with Civic Trust Awards sponsors where this is appropriate and with our media partners for the purposes of offering the opportunity to purchase advertisements in the Awards brochure. Please notify us via email (info@civictrustawards.org.uk) if you do not wish us to provide your contact details to our sponsors or partners.