Submitting an Entry

The program organizer shares an entry link with you. Click it and the entry form opens; there is nothing to sign up for first.

The two steps

The form has two steps, shown at the top: Categories and Entry details. You can move back to Categories at any time; moving forward runs the same checks as the Continue button.

Categories

If the program has more than one category, the form opens by asking which you're entering. You can pick one or more (for example, "Best Innovation" and "Leadership Excellence"), and your entry competes independently in each. Categories may be grouped under headings, and each one can carry a short description; click Show more on a long one.

Some programs let each entry compete in only one category, or a set number: the form then asks for a single category, or stops at the limit, and you submit a separate entry for each other category. Some programs also limit how many entries one person can submit, and the program page says so before you start. Once you have used your allowance, the program page explains this in place of the submit button and lists your entries so you can open and edit them.

When the program charges an entry fee, the price shows next to each category and a running total updates as you select. Some programs ask a membership question here ("Are you a member?"); the answer sets your fee, and the price range collapses to your exact amount once you answer. If the program offers a multi-entry discount, the form tells you as soon as you qualify ("Includes your 10% multi-entry discount"). See Paying entry fees.

Categories can't be changed after the entry deadline passes, so check the program page or ask the organizer if you're unsure.

Entry details

1. Your details: your name and email. The card reads "No account needed. When you submit, we will email you a code to confirm your address. You can then access and edit your entry anytime with this email." If you are already signed in, these are prefilled.
2. Entry name and an Entry Summary paragraph, when the organizer asks for one
3. Questions the organizer added: short answers, paragraphs (some with a word or character limit and a live counter), URLs, dropdowns, single and multiple choice, numbers, dates, and file uploads, organized under section headings
4. Team members, if the organizer collects them

Beside the form (above it on a phone), the Entry Guidelines card lists what the organizer wants you to know before you write: naming, what to include, house rules. Read it first.

The form may adapt as you go: some questions appear only for certain categories or only after you answer an earlier question a certain way. If a question you expected isn't showing, it doesn't apply to your category or answers. Just fill in what you see.

Adding team members

Click Add a team member (the organizer may word it differently) and enter each member's name and email. Solo entries are fine: leave this section empty.

The person who submits the form becomes the lead, marked Submitter. Every team member receives an email that they've been added, can open and edit the entry while entries are open, and gets their own certificate if the organizer publishes results. Paying the entry fee stays with the lead.

URL fields and embeds

When you paste URLs into URL questions (like "Case study video" or "Project website"), AwardKit embeds content from supported platforms:

Other URLs display as clickable links. Embeds appear on your entry page and are visible to judges and organizers. Some organizations turn off tracking on their public pages, and then YouTube and Loom links display as plain links on your entry page, the entry form, and the judges' pages.

Uploading files

Where the organizer added a file question, drag files onto the box that reads Drag & drop or click to upload, or click to browse. The question states which types it accepts (images, documents such as PDF, Word .docx, .txt and .md files, video, audio such as .mp3, .m4a and .wav files, HTML pages) and the size or length limit. An older Word .doc file isn't accepted, so save it as .docx or PDF from Word first. Videos play directly on your entry page after upload, with no YouTube account needed. An audio file plays in a player under the file as soon as it is uploaded, so you can listen back before you submit. An HTML page (a single file with its styles and scripts inside, such as a prototype exported from an AI tool, up to 4 MB) opens as a page from your entry, in a frame or in its own tab. Anything it saves is forgotten between visits.

Under each image you upload, the optional Alt text box takes a sentence describing what it shows: judges and visitors who use a screen reader hear it in place of the image, and anyone else can read it from the ALT badge on the image. Under a video, Video description takes a description of what happens and what is said; captions are usually added to the video automatically, and the description shows under the player. Under an audio file, Transcript takes a written version of the recording, for people who cannot hear it, and shows under the player. Judges read these like any other answer, including in anonymous rounds, so leave out names if the program judges anonymously.

Your work is saved as you go

The form saves automatically while you type. A small indicator near the bottom reads Saving... and then Draft saved. If you close the tab, switch devices, or come back next week, open the same entry link and the form greets you with "Welcome back! We saved your progress." with everything in place. The program page also lists your draft under Your Entry with a Continue your entry button.

The organizer can see that you started an entry and how far you got before you submit, so they can help if you get stuck. They cannot change it or submit it for you.

If you'd rather begin again, Start over clears the saved draft and empties the form (it asks you to confirm first).

Submitting and confirming your email

When everything is filled in, click Submit Entry (free programs) or Continue to Payment (programs with a fee).

A dialog titled Confirm your email appears: "We sent a 6-digit code to (your email). Enter it below; your entry stays right here." Type the code from the email (subject: "123456 is your AwardKit code") and your entry is confirmed. First time on AwardKit? Verifying creates your account, and you may be asked for your name. Didn't get the code? Resend code sends a fresh one.

Once confirmed:

• Free entries land on your entry page with the message Entry received! Good luck! and you receive an email titled "Entry Submitted: your entry name".
• Paid entries continue to checkout, or to your balance if you chose Pay later, add more entries. See Paying entry fees.

Every submitted entry gets a number, such as E-014. It shows under the entry name on your entry page and in your confirmation or receipt email, so quote it when you contact the organizer.

Entering more than one piece of work

Open any of your entries and click Submit another like this: the form opens prefilled with your answers, team, and categories. Only the entry name and any uploaded files start fresh. The button appears only while the program lets you enter more; on a one-entry-per-person program it never does.

Editing your entry

You can edit your entry as long as entries are still open. Open your entry page and click Edit Entry. Once the organizer closes entries or the deadline passes, editing is locked. See Managing your entry.

Deadlines

The entry deadline shows on the program page and on the form. As it approaches, your entry page shows a Deadline approaching! notice. After the deadline:

• The form shows that entries are closed
• Existing entries are locked for editing
• You can still view your entry from its link

Previewing a program that isn't open yet

Some programs let you click through the entry form before entries open, so you can see the questions and prepare. Submitting on a preview opens a dialog showing what you would submit and where the email code would appear, and states that nothing you typed was saved or sent. Come back once entries open to submit for real.