The James Dyson Award is an annual international design and engineering competition run by the James Dyson Foundation. It asks current students and recent graduates to submit an invention that solves a clearly defined problem.
Entries are made online and progress through national judging, a Dyson engineers’ shortlist, and final selection. The 2026 entry window is closed.
Benefits & funding
- The international winner receives £30,000 and a certificate.
- The sustainability winner receives £30,000.
- International runners-up receive £5,000 and a certificate.
- Subject to trustee approval, each national winner receives £5,000 and a certificate.
- Winners may also receive media exposure connected with the award.
Eligibility
- Every entrant must be at least 18 when the entry is submitted.
- An individual entrant must be enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or postgraduate engineering, design, or related course at an institution in an eligible country or region, or have graduated from such a course within the preceding four years.
- A team may have up to 10 members. At least one team lead must meet the subject and study-status rule; the other members must be university students or graduates from the preceding four years.
- Eligibility is tied to the institution and eligible award country or region, not to a stated nationality requirement.
- Employees of Dyson group companies or the James Dyson Foundation, and their families, cannot enter.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Create an award account; every team member must register, and one member submits the entry.
- 2Upload an invention profile covering the problem, function, inspiration, development process, novelty, and future plans, including a description of no more than 200 words.
- 3Add supporting images such as sketches, plans, models, or prototypes, plus one high-resolution image on a white background; a demonstration video is encouraged.
- 4Submit the written entry in English through the award website before the deadline; a version in the entrant’s own language may also be included.
Program timeline
Entries opened.
Mar 11, 2026
Entries closed at 23:59 PST.
Jul 15, 2026
National winners and finalists announced.
Sep 16, 2026
Dyson engineers’ shortlist announced.
Oct 14, 2026
International winner and sustainability winner announced.
Nov 4, 2026