← Back to All Articles & Resources

AIA Maryland is pleased to announce the Call for Entries for the 2026 Excellence in Design Awards, an annual program recognizing outstanding architectural work by AIA Maryland members and AIA members practicing in Maryland. This program honors design excellence, sustainability, and contributions to the public realm, elevating the visibility of high-impact projects across the state and beyond.

Submission Deadline: June 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT

Submit your project at AIA Maryland Design Awards

Call for Entires: Click here to view

What’s New in 2026

Application Updates for This Year

We have implemented several updates to the application to improve clarity, accuracy, and alignment with current submission practices:

Primary Contact
We recognize that many firms designate a staff member or internal team to manage award submissions, and this individual is not always the entrant. However, the entrant remains essential to eligibility.

To streamline communication, the application now requires identification of a Primary Contact at the outset. This individual will serve as the main point of contact for any questions or requests for additional information during the review process.

Following jury deliberation, both the Primary Contact and the Entrant will be notified, regardless of the outcome from AIA Maryland. 

Architect of Record
The application has been updated to include a required field identifying whether the submitting firm is the Architect of Record or serving in another role.

This ensures accurate attribution and recognition in the event a project is selected for an award.

Framework for Design Excellence
The Framework for Design Excellence section has been expanded to include additional, category-specific prompts alongside the overall project summary.

These updates are intended to support more comprehensive submissions and provide the jury with a clearer understanding of each project’s performance across the framework.

Award Categories

  • Commercial Architecture

  • Historic Preservation

  • Institutional Architecture

  • Interior Architecture

  • Mixed Use Development

  • Residential Architecture

  • Unbuilt Architecture

  • Urban Design & Master Planning

  • Small Projects (new in 2025)

  • Emerging Professionals (new in 2025)

Additional honors include:

  • Public Building of the Year

  • Vision Award

  • Sustainability Award

  • Public Choice Award

Eligibility

  • Projects may be submitted by AIA Maryland members in good standing, regardless of project location.

  • AIA members from outside Maryland may submit projects located within Maryland (must have been licensed in Maryland at the time of completion).

  • Eligible projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2021, and not previously recognized by AIA Maryland.

Submission Details

A complete submission includes:

  • Online entry form

  • Jury PDF (10 pages max)

  • Presentation PDF (3 pages max)

  • 3–8 image uploads

  • Entry fee

Entry Fees

AIA Maryland Members: $150 per entry

Other AIA Members: $250 per entry

All entries must be submitted and paid for by June 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

This is your opportunity to share your most impactful work with peers, clients, and the public. We invite you to submit your best projects and help showcase the power of design across Maryland and beyond.

Contact us at [email protected] or 410-263-0916. for any questions! 

We look forward to celebrating your work.

More From AIA Maryland