Overview

The Arcause Awards 2026 initiative has been conceived to recognise and celebrate individuals and institutions that are actively advancing responsible practices within design education and student-led action. While conversations around sustainability, social responsibility, and climate responsiveness are becoming increasingly visible, there remains a need to acknowledge the people who are embedding these values into everyday teaching, learning, practice and institutional culture. Through recognitions such as the Design Educators Award, Arcause Impact Catalyst Award and Academic Leadership Award along with community and repository recognitions, the initiative acknowledges excellence in teaching, mentorship, student leadership, institutional impact, participatory practices, knowledge-sharing, environmental & ecological stewardship and socially responsible design. 

These awards aim to recognise unsung projects and celebrate long-term commitment, meaningful impact, and efforts that inspire systemic change. The focus is not solely on outcomes, but also on the processes, collaborations, and intentions that make responsible practices possible.

The Arcause Awards 2026 Program 1.0 will feature three primary categories:

1. Design Educators Award

Recognising educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment towards integrating sustainability, social responsibility, environmental awareness, and systems thinking into design education.

2. Arcause Impact Catalyst Award

Recognising colleges, student chapters, and student leaders who have catalysed positive action, mobilised communities, and created measurable impact through initiatives that address social, environmental, or community challenges.

3.  Academic Leadership Award

Recognising colleges, student chapters, and student leaders who have catalysed positive action, mobilised communities, and created measurable impact through initiatives that address social, environmental, or community challenges.

Eligibility

1. Design Educators Award

Applicants must:

• Be currently teaching or have taught within the last two academic years.
• Be associated with an architecture, planning or design institution involved in teaching design, architecture, planning, engineering, arts, or allied educational institution.
• Have demonstrated engagement with sustainability, social impact, community engagement, responsible practice, or related themes.
• Be nominated by peers, institutions, students, or self-nominate.

2. Arcause Impact Catalyst Award

A. Arcause College Catalyst Award

• Open to all Club and Non-Club Colleges.

B. Arcause Student Catalyst Award

• Students are currently enrolled in a college or university.
• Nominations can include:

1. 1. Arcause activities
   2. Campus initiatives
   3. Community engagement programmes
   4. Independent projects
   5. Sustainability campaigns
   6. Social impact initiatives
   7. Volunteer leadership

3. Academic Leadership Awards

Applicants must:

• Faculty members from recognised Schools of Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and allied disciplines.
• Full-time or retired faculty members.
• Educators with 15 years or more of teaching experience.
• Self-nominations and nominations by students, alumni, colleagues, or institutions are welcome.

How to Apply

• Registration: Register on the Arcause Awards 2026 website.
• Confirmation Email: Check your email for a confirmation mail containing the submission form link.
• Complete the Form: Complete the submission form thoroughly, providing all requested details and uploading the required supporting documents.
• Form Submission: Submit your form before the specified deadline.
• Results: Await the results, which will be announced following the Jury’s evaluation process.

The Selection Process

• A panel of experts will review all entries based on various criteria and the decision of the Jury shall be final and binding, and no correspondence or appeals regarding the results will be entertained.

Important Dates

• Last Date for Submissions : 20th July 2026

• Last Date for Submissions (Academic Leadership Award) : To be Announced

• Announcement of Results : To be Announced

Attachments

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