Now is the moment to celebrate the work that is securing our digital future, as nominations for the Digital Preservation Awards 2026 draw to a close.
With nominations open until 09:00 UTC on Tuesday 5 May 2026, this is your final opportunity to recognize and share the work - your own or that of others - that is making a difference across our community.
Organized by the Digital Preservation Coalition every two years, the Digital Preservation Awards are the most prominent global celebration of achievement for those people and organizations who have made significant contributions towards a sustainable future for our digital assets.
Established in 2004, the Awards were created to celebrate the excellence and innovation necessary to secure our digital legacy, and to raise awareness of digital preservation in all its forms. They promote, encourage, and celebrate the widest possible participation in digital preservation, defined in the broadest possible terms.
Across the digital preservation field, inspiring work is happening every day. The Digital Preservation Awards provide a rare opportunity to bring that work into the spotlight, to share it with a global audience, and to articulate the value and impact of digital preservation.
Awards in 2026
In 2026, seven awards will be presented for initiatives completed between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2026:
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The Award for Collaboration and Cooperation
Celebrating significant collaboration across institutional, professional, sectoral and geographical boundaries which have had a demonstrable and positive impact on digital preservation.
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates. -
The Award for Research and Innovation
Recognizing excellence in practical research and innovation activities..
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates. -
The Award for Teaching and Communications
Recognizing excellence in outreach, training and advocacy.
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates. -
The Award for the Most Distinguished Student Work in Digital Preservation
Encouraging and recognizing student work in digital preservation.
Includes attendance at an international conference, a trophy, and a certificate. -
The Award for Safeguarding the Digital Legacy
Celebrating the practical application of preservation tools to protect at-risk digital objects.
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates. -
The Award for the Most Outstanding Digital Preservation Initiative in Commerce, Industry and the Third Sector
Encouraging and recognizing the adoption of digital preservation tools and approaches in institutions which are not explicitly memory institutions.
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates. -
NEW in 2026: The Award for Resilience, Maintenance and Continuity
Celebrating efforts that support and maintain critical infrastructure for digital preservation services and systems, ensuring the integrity and resilience of digital preservation workflows.
Includes a cash prize of £1000, a trophy, and certificates.
Why nominate?
Whether you are part of a project, have collaborated on an initiative, or have seen work that deserves recognition, this is your opportunity to celebrate the excellence and innovation shaping the digital preservation field.
If you are unsure whether your work is eligible, please consult the Eligibility criteria and FAQs.
You can also explore previous winners and hear directly from them via the Digital Preservation Awards 2024 winners and videos.
How to enter
Submitting a nomination is straightforward. Entry is free, and you do not need to be a DPC member to participate.
Find out more on the Digital Preservation Awards homepage and submit your entry by 09:00 UTC on Tuesday 5 May 2026 via the How to enter page.
We look forward to celebrating your work and the many ways in which our community continues to innovate, collaborate, and secure our shared digital legacy!