Welcome to the 2026 National Design Awards!

To begin a new submission, or to continue working on an incomplete submission, please select "Prepare and Submit Your Entry." 

The first step is to register as a nominee. Registration will only take a few minutes to complete. Once you register, you will receive the Submission Guidelines with details on the required materials, which you will submit digitally on this platform to complete your entry to the National Design Awards. All submission materials must be submitted by Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Please note that if you’ve been nominated in multiple categories, you must submit a separate customized entry for each. 

If you have any questions, please email us at DesignAwards@si.edu or visit www.cooperhewitt.org/nda/submissiontips for sample materials, suggestions from previous jurors, and frequently asked questions. To learn more about the National Design Awards, visit www.cooperhewitt.org/nda.