DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Dubai’s new Dubai-it Award will begin accepting nominations Aug. 10, giving individuals, companies, organizations and project teams a chance to have major achievements recognized under a new annual awards program.
The inaugural nomination window will remain open until Sept. 10, 2026. Unlike awards focused solely on an end result, the Dubai-it Award will assess how an achievement was delivered, including its speed, execution, measurable impact and potential to serve as a model for others.
For the first edition, achievements completed during the past four years are eligible. From the second edition onward, the award will consider achievements from the preceding 24 months.
Who can be nominated?
The award has three main segments:
- Individuals
- Projects
- Institutions and companies
Nominations can be submitted by individuals, companies, organizations and other entities. People can nominate themselves or others, while companies and organizations can put forward projects, teams or individuals involved in delivering an achievement.
That makes the award relevant not only to government bodies and large corporations but also to entrepreneurs, project leaders, technology teams, educators, health professionals and other individuals whose work has produced a measurable result.
Which areas are covered?
The award spans 10 fields linked to Dubai’s economic and social development:
- Government
- Real estate
- Economy
- Business
- Technology
- Sports
- Society
- Education
- Services
- Health
The organizers are looking for achievements that demonstrate more than an ambitious idea. Entries need to show how the idea was converted into something tangible and what changed as a result.
What will judges look for?
Applicants will need to demonstrate the scale and significance of their achievement, the quality of its execution and how efficiently it was delivered.
Judges will also consider measurable results, the impact on people or a particular sector, sustainability, potential for further growth and whether the achievement could inspire or be replicated by others.
In practical terms, a strong application should make it easy to understand what the challenge was, what was done differently, how quickly it was delivered and what measurable result followed.
The official Dubai-it platform describes the philosophy behind the award as turning bold ambition into visible achievement through action, excellence, speed and results.
What documents are needed?
Nominations will require details of the achievement and the circumstances that led to it.
Applicants should be prepared to explain the challenge or opportunity, the actions taken, the results achieved and the broader impact on a city, organization, sector, economy or community.
Supporting material can include performance data, figures, reports, photographs, certificates, media coverage and other evidence that helps verify the achievement.
The award team may also request additional information or conduct interviews as part of the verification process.
When can you apply?
For the inaugural edition, nominations open Aug. 10, 2026, and close Sept. 10, 2026.
Applications can be submitted through the official Dubai-it Award platform.
The award will subsequently follow an annual cycle. The organizers plan to use June, July and August for nominations and evaluation for the following edition, with the award cycle running from September through May.
What makes an achievement a strong entry?
For residents, entrepreneurs and businesses considering a nomination, the key is evidence.
An application is likely to be stronger when it clearly connects an ambitious objective with a specific action, a measurable outcome and a meaningful impact. Simply describing a successful initiative may not be enough; applicants should demonstrate what was achieved and how effectively it was delivered.
The Dubai-it initiative was introduced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, as a philosophy centered on turning ambitious ideas into results. The award was launched under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s crown prince, deputy prime minister, minister of defense and chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
With nominations opening Aug. 10, the first edition will provide an opportunity for Dubai-based individuals and organizations to put forward achievements from recent years and demonstrate the results behind their work.
