Overview
The Daylight Award 2026 celebrates outstanding contributions in the fields of scientific daylight research and architectural use of daylight. It aims to deepen the understanding of daylight’s vital role in human health, well-being, and environmental balance, while also highlighting its emotional and spatial impact through architecture. The 2026 nominations are open from 16 May 2025 to 15 September 2025.
Why You Should Participate
This award is a unique platform that bridges the gap between science and design. By participating or nominating, you contribute to a growing global discourse around the importance of daylight in health, psychology, ecology, and architecture.
Whether you’re a scientist pioneering daylight research or an architect creating spaces defined by natural light, this award recognizes innovation, influence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Winners gain not only global recognition but also a €100,000 prize and inclusion in an elite community shaping the future of daylight.
Key Highlights
- Award Categories:
- Daylight Research: For individuals or research teams advancing knowledge of daylight in natural, human, or social sciences.
- Daylight in Architecture: For architects and design teams whose work explores and elevates daylight use in architecture and the built environment.
- Eligibility:
- Open to individuals or teams worldwide.
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Nominations can be made by peers, past laureates, professionals, or institutions with relevant expertise.
- Unique Feature:
- The award emphasizes the integration of different disciplines—architecture, neuroscience, biology, environmental science—to highlight daylight’s full potential.
Entry Fees
| Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Daylight Research | €0 |
| Daylight in Architecture | €0 |
Prizes and Recognition
| Category | Prize | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight Research | €100,000 | Global recognition, publication exposure, award ceremony |
| Daylight in Architecture | €100,000 | Global recognition, project exposure, participation in jury |
Submission Details
- Daylight in Architecture: Submit a list of relevant projects, with links to details and photos.
- Daylight Research: Include titles or summaries of key research papers.
- All nominations must explain how the nominee meets the award criteria.
- Nominations that do not win are automatically reconsidered the following year.
- Submit nominations via email to: office@daylight.academy
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations Open | 16 May 2025 |
| Nominations Close | 15 September 2025 |
How to Join
- Identify a deserving architect or researcher.
- Prepare nomination materials:
- For architects: list of projects, photos, and descriptions.
- For researchers: list or summaries of key publications.
- Write a nomination statement explaining the nominee’s impact.
- Email the full nomination package to: office@daylight.academy
Judging Criteria
- Scientific Impact: Quality, originality, and international relevance of research.
- Architectural Value: Innovation in use of daylight, spatial experience, and impact on human well-being.
- Interdisciplinary Influence: Collaboration between fields like neuroscience, architecture, engineering, and environmental science.
- Societal Contribution: Positive effect on sustainability, health, culture, and community well-being.
- The jury includes leading professionals like Gerd Folkers, Dorte Mandrup, Russell Foster, Iwan Baan, Annette Gigon, Michael J. Balick, and Yvonne de Kort.
Registration Deadline
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