Applications open for DesignEuropa Awards 2027
The call for entries has opened for the DesignEuropa Awards 2027, the European Union's (EU) premier honours celebrating excellence, creativity and innovation in design.
According to a statement from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the 2027 edition introduces a new international award recognising designs by companies and designers based outside the EU whose creations are protected at the community level. The DesignEuropa Awards were established in 2016.
Deadline for submitting applications set for February 14, 2027
The deadline for submitting applications and nominations is set for February 14, 2027, while the winners will be announced in Prague in September 2027. Designers, entrepreneurs and companies from around the world can apply via the DesignEuropa Awards website.
“Design is at the heart of innovation and competitiveness. It gives ideas a tangible form, helps businesses stand out and guides the choices we make as consumers. By protecting their designs, companies can turn creativity into a lasting asset. With the new international award, we are expanding the reach of the DesignEuropa Awards and recognising that great design knows no borders: it has the power to help businesses innovate, compete and succeed on a global scale,” emphasised João Negrão, executive director of the EUIPO, in the statement.
Specifically, five award categories are open for applications and nominations: the Entrepreneurs and Small Companies Award, which recognises innovative designs from newly established or small businesses; and the Industry Award, dedicated to high-impact designs created by medium and large enterprises. The other three are the International Award, dedicated to design excellence by designers and companies based outside the EU; the Next Generation Design Award, open to young designers up to 29 years of age and their innovative approaches; and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which pays tribute to designers who have made a significant contribution to the design world throughout their careers.
Once the finalist designs are unveiled, a public choice award will also be presented, inviting the public to vote for their favourite project. “An independent, professional jury will evaluate the applications and nominations based on aesthetic and design value; usability; market impact; social and environmental considerations; and the innovative use of the EU design system,” specifies the EUIPO.
The 2026 edition attracted over 1,600 applications and presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to designer Philippe Starck, alongside other projects and designers. The 2027 awards will be presented in Prague in collaboration with the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic.