Frequently Asked Questions & Submission Guidelines

Entry & Eligibility

How much does it cost to enter?

Entry to the CyberNorth Awards is completely free.

 

Do I need to be a member of any organisation to enter?

You must be a member or affiliated member of CyberNorth to enter the awards.  To become a part of the CyberNorth cluster–drop us an email:hello@cybernorth.biz

 

Who can enter the awards?

Your organisation is eligible to enter if:

• Your headquarters or an operational base is located in the North East of England.
• Or for a collaborative nomination, one organisation must have a base in the North East.

 

What time period do the 2026 awards cover?

Entries should showcase work undertaken and results achieved within the past year (between September 2025 and September 2026).

 

How many categories can I enter?

Organisations can enter as many categories (and can enter multiple for the same category if required).

 

Why Enter?

• Attract talent: Showcase your innovative work environment and attract top talent.
• Client acquisition: Gain recognition and attract new clients.
• Motivate staff: Celebrate achievements and boost employee morale.
• Reputation & credibility: Become known to the judging panel and establish yourself as a leader in the cyber industry.
• Marketing: Increase brand awareness and generate positive press coverage and enhance your promotional efforts.
• Networking: Connect with industry peers and build valuable relationships.

 

Crafting a Winning Submission 

Here are some tips for writing a strong application

Focus on results: Highlight the measurable impact of your work using metrics and data. This information will be kept confidential if required.

Provide evidence: Support your claims with factual information, case studies, and testimonials.

Showcase achievements: Emphasise your organisation’s outstanding accomplishments.

Demonstrate recognition: Mention any industry awards or recognition received. 

Outline future plans: Share your vision for growth and future projections.

Update previous submissions: If resubmitting a project, highlight progress and achievements made within the past year. 

 

What Judges Look For 

The judges evaluate submissions based on:

• Evidence and measurement of impact – Demonstrate the positive impact your work has had.
• Outstanding achievements – Showcase your organisation’s remarkable accomplishments.
• Industry recognition – Highlight any awards or recognition received.
• Future plans and projections – Outline your vision for growth and future potential. 
• Details of your growth – Showcase the expansion and success of your organisation. 
• Testimonials from clients or stakeholders – Provide positive feedback from satisfied clients and partners. 

 

Please note that judges will only evaluate data and insight from your nomination rather than information they have learned outside of the judging process, therefore please supply supporting factual information. 

Our judges occasionally point out that some promising submissions are based on projects or initiatives still relatively early in their cycle, and that, given a further 12 months, their impact and success may be clearer. We encourage you to submit projects or pieces of work a second time, but please update those previous submissions and ensure you highlight activity during the subsequent 12-month period. 

A winning submission tells a compelling story. It showcases not just what you did, but the real-world impact it had. Use data, testimonials, and clear examples to demonstrate your achievements and set yourself apart. 

 

Who is the Judging Panel?

To ensure the judging is impartial and to maximise exposure for entries, we have an expert panel of independent judges from around the region and beyond. Representatives from the following organisations will be judging submissions:

• Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT)
• Barclays Bank
• Northstar Ventures
• The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (The MSA)
• TLT LLP

What is the timeline for the awards process? 

Nominations close on 14th September 2026 at 5pm. Shortlisted organisations will be announced at the beginning of October at the start of CyberFest. 

Winners (and any highly commended entries) will be announced on the evening of 21st October at the CyberNorth Awards ceremony. 

We hope this information helps you prepare a strong submission for the CyberNorth Awards. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us hello@cybernoth.biz

Nominate yourself today!