Applications close in…
Applications close on 5pm, Friday 31 July
These awards seek and reward excellence in UK think tanks, recognising the vital role think tanks have in creating, challenging and developing the UK policy sphere. In a time of big questions, think tanks play a key part in helping us develop solutions and these awards look to highlight those organisations that are playing a crucial role in doing that.
Evaluating the entries, we have an incredible panel of judges, chosen for their deep knowledge of policy and how it works in practice, as well as to provide a balanced jury representing politics from across the political spectrum. Returning for a second year as Chair, the panel will be steered by the Rt Hon David Gauke, former Cabinet Minister and recent lead for the government review into prison sentences.
The panel also includes Dame Harriett Baldwin MP, Dr Jeevun Sandher MP, Munira Wilson MP, Mayor for East Midlands Claire Ward, Gordon McKee MP, Harriet Cross MP, ECSR Executive Chair Stian Westlake; Political Editor of The Observer, Rachel Sylvester and former Director-General Mark Sweeney.
Applications open on Monday 1st June 2026 and think tanks will have until close of play Friday 31st July to submit their entries. We will be hosting a webinar, with David Gauke, for all potential applicants on Tuesday 30th June. Sign up here for your place.
An initial review of entries will take place in August with the final judging session to be held in October.
Supported by Lloyds Bank, the awards ceremony will take place at the British Academy, 10-11 Carlton Terrace, on Wednesday 12th November, 7 – 9pm. The ceremony is invite-only.
There are 11 award categories and each think tank may apply for each category once. There is no limit to the number of categories you can apply to.
The top award! To be considered for this category you will not just be a great convener or have produced a brilliant publication but will be able to demonstrate impact and excellence across a number of areas. This is the top prize – how have you captured the policy zeitgeist this year and really driven impact or change?
This can be an innovation in research, policy area, communications, operations or fundraising. The judges are looking for innovations where you can show us that you have done something differently or tried something new. This category is to reward those who have taken risks to try and do something better in the future.
The top individual award! Each organisation may nominate one staff member for this award. We are looking for people who have demonstrated excellence in their job and have also played a vital role in enhancing their think tank’s reputation and / or have had an impact on the overall policy debate.
Each think tank may nominate one research member of staff. The judges are looking for researchers who have both demonstrated excellence and rigour in their research work and outputs and have produced work that has had an impact outside of their think tank.
Aimed at newer think tanks (under 5 years old) that are offering a new and exciting voice in the policy sphere this award seeks to recognise those who have identified a policy need or gap and are addressing that. Not only will you offer excellence across a number of areas but will also be able to show that you have the potential to become an important voice and institution in the future.
This award is looking to recognise think tanks that have used their convening power to have impact and move the dial on a policy issue. Entries could be one big high-profile event, or a series of events coalescing around a key theme. It could also be business as usual for your think tank but within that you are able to tell a clear story about what your events have achieved and what is special about this year.
The judges are looking for publications that have made a strong argument, grounded in evidence. Entries are encouraged to show where they have had impact, can demonstrate originality, have persuasively argued for a change or for a new policy focus, are well-written and engaging. The nominated publication should also have rigorous research at its core.
This award recognises think tank work that tells a compelling story, advocates for change and delivers real impact. Best campaign is not just about producing a social media campaign that gets a lot of attention, it is about those campaigns and communications built around a coherent workstream of research, publications, events and media that delivers and advocates for real impact.
And finally, the more light-hearted categories are:
Killer Stat of the Year
Niche Report of the Year
Report Title of the Year
