ICAD AWARDS 2026
Open exclusively to ICAD members, the ICAD Awards have set the benchmark for creative excellence in Ireland since 1958. Recognised nationally and internationally, the iconic ICAD Bell represents the highest standard of creative work. Uniquely, the programme brings together production, design and advertising disciplines in one programme. For 2026, the Awards has grown to recognise more forms of creative excellence in digital, social, PR, sustainability, accessibility, Irish language, and more disciplines across production craft.
KEY DATES 2026
30 April: Entries open
10 May: Early bird deadline
3 June: Final entry deadline
June – July: Judging
September: ICAD Awards
ENTRY FEE
To keep the ICAD Awards accessible to all members, entry fees remain unchanged from 2025.
Earlybird rate: €100
Standard rate: €125
Student & Greenhorn (≤3 years experience) rate: €25
20% Discount: Available to freelancers, charities, not-for-profits and businesses with three or fewer employees. Email [email protected] to apply.
Fee Waiver: We may offer a fee waiver where financial hardship makes the entry fee an insurmountable barrier to entry. See the Fee Waiver Policy or email [email protected]
ELIGIBILITY
All key creatives for an entry must be current ICAD members. In craft categories, this applies to the key craftsperson (e.g. the editor for an Editing entry). The person submitting the work does not need to be a member, but the creative on whose behalf the work is entered does. Anyone you’d expect to go on stage to accept the award should be a member.
Entries must have been commercially released between 1 April 2025 and 31 May 2026. Work must respond to a genuine client brief, be approved by the client, and have been made available to the public.
Please download our Terms and Conditions for more detail.