Judging
Configure how entries are evaluated, invite judges, assign entries, and run multi-round review with weighted scoring criteria or simple Top Picks.
Judging brings together everything you need to run fair, defensible evaluation. Choose a voting method, set up your judge panel, configure how entries are distributed, and let judges score independently.
Pick a voting method
AwardKit supports two voting methods. Choose based on how detailed you want scoring to be:
- Score Criteria: judges score every entry on weighted criteria you define (Impact, Innovation, etc.). Best for professional awards programs where you want the scoring to be auditable.
- Top Picks: judges pick and rank their favorite entries (no per-criterion scoring). Best for shortlist rounds, smaller programs, or when you want gut-feel evaluation.
You can switch methods at any point before judges start scoring.
Build your judge panel
Add judges one by one or import a CSV of last year's panel. Every judge gets a unique link, no account required.
For programs with conflict-of-interest considerations, configure judge assignment so each judge only sees the entries they're qualified to evaluate. Judges can also recuse themselves from an entry, which excludes their score and logs the conflict for your audit trail.
Scoring is per category
When an entry is submitted to more than one category, it's judged independently in each one. The same work can advance in one category and be cut in another, and can win a different award in each. Each category is scored on one rubric: your default rubric, or its own if you give it one. See Voting methods.
Run multiple rounds (optional)
Large programs often judge in stages: a broad Screening round narrows the field to a shortlist, then a smaller Final jury scores the finalists. Each round has its own dates, panel, criteria, and assignment mode. Add a round from the Scoring section header, and advance the shortlist between rounds from the Results page. See Judging rounds.
Let the public vote (optional)
For People's Choice awards or community engagement, turn on public voting (off by default) in the Scoring section. On multi-round programs this is set per round. Anyone with the link can vote, no account needed. Audience votes are tracked separately from judge scores so you can publish a "People's Choice" alongside the juried winners. See Voting methods.
What's next?
Voting methods
Score Criteria vs. Top Picks, weights, and per-category rubrics.
Adding judges
Invite judges by name and email. No account required for them.
Judge assignment
All-judges, per-judge, or rooms-based assignment, set per round.
Judging rounds
Screen a large field, then have a final jury score the shortlist.
Judging interface
What judges see when they open their link and start scoring.
CSV Import
Bulk import award program entries on AwardKit from a CSV file. Map columns, preview rows, attach categories, import full teams, and create custom entry fields automatically.
Voting Methods
Configure how entries are scored on AwardKit. Choose between Score Criteria and Top Picks for your judges, and optionally let the public vote alongside them.