How-to
From idea to award – here's how to get your submission ready.
1. Who Can Participate?
The German Innovation Awards are open to companies from all industries and sectors of the economy, as well as non-commercial and governmental organizations from all over the world.
Only submissions whose publication or market launch does not date back more than five years are eligible to participate.
There is no limit to the number of entries per company.
2. Nomination or Direct Submission – Both Are Possible
You’ve been nominated?
Then the German Design Council has identified your project in the market and sees exceptional innovative quality in it. You’ll receive a written invitation and can register your project directly in the submission portal “My Design Council”.Want to submit on your own?
No problem. You can also register your project independently. After review by our panel of experts, you’ll be notified whether it has been accepted for participation. If your project is not accepted, there are no costs for you.Good to know: In the event of an award, a service fee applies – in return, you receive a comprehensive service package including a label, certificate, online presence, and much more.
Support Program – Fair Opportunities for Good Ideas
Are you a freelancer or run a small business? Then you may qualify for an exemption from service fees if you win an award.
Condition: Your annual turnover was below €100,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Submit your application by 30 January, 2026 – easily via our online form. After reviewing your information, the German Design Council will send you confirmation.
3. Online Registration
Participation in the German Innovation Awards is managed via our submission portal My Design Council. Don’t have an account yet? Simply register with your email address.
After registering, you’ll receive confirmation and the invoice for the participation fee.
You’ll need the following for your submission:
- Disciplin
- Project name
- Project specification(German and English)
- Description text (German and English, max. 650
characters each) - Website
- Date and place of launch
- Details on developer, manufacturer, client
- Category and, if applicable, additional category
- Billing address
- Optional booking of the Nominee Package
- Image material (max. 5 images, JPG, min. 1000px
(shortest side), RGB, file size: max. 10 MB)
Duration: Allow approx. 35 minutes for the registration process.
Please note that the information and image/text material from your application will be used both for the jury session and for publication in the event of an award.
4. Disciplines and Categories
You can submit your project in one of two disciplines – each discipline includes several categories.
5. Submission of the presentation to the jury meeting
After successful online registration, please provide us with a presentation of your project, which will be viewed and evaluated by the jury.
Formats
Submissions for the German Innovation Awards are made exclusively by digital means. You can design your submission as a PDF presentation and/or as a film. Only PDF and MPEG4 files are accepted. In the case of embedded video clips in PDF presentations, please also upload the film separately as a file.Scope
Multiple PDF presentations must be combined, but should not exceed the maximum page count of 15 pages. The maximum movie length is 120 seconds. The maximum file size when uploading is 50 MB.Upload
With the registration confirmation you will receive an upload link where you can provide us with your presentation. A maximum of 2 files can be uploaded: 1x PDF and/or 1x MPEG4. All files must be clearly marked with the project ID.Content
The Presentations must be prepared in German or English.Questionnaire
You are free to fill in the questionnaire „Your innovation at a glance“ with some market key figures about your innovation.Download questionnaire
Experience shows that this information enables the jury to assess your submission more quickly and accurately. Please include the questionnaire in your presentation PDF and upload it via the provided link.
1. Jury Session
Your project will be reviewed and discussed by an international, interdisciplinary panel of experts – independent and with an eye for excellence.
2. Award Notification
If your project is selected as a Winner or Gold recipient, you will be notified via email – in time and with all necessary next steps.
3. Publication release
You’ll receive a preview link to your project profile in the online gallery. Here you can finalize your description, credits, and main image.
4. Presentation in the Gallery
On the day of the awards ceremony, our online gallery goes live – showcasing your project to an international audience.
5. Awards Ceremony
The big moment: your project will be celebrated during the Awards Ceremony – in the exhibition, on stage, and in front of the camera. A day full of visibility, exchange, and innovation excellence.