Top EdTech Awards to Apply for in 2026 (Deadlines & Guide)

Recognition in the education technology sector can transform your company's trajectory, opening doors to new partnerships, investors, and customers. Whether you're an established EdTech provider or an innovative startup, industry awards offer invaluable visibility and credibility.

This guide highlights five prestigious EdTech awards worth applying for in 2026.

1. The Bett Awards

If you're aiming for the most prestigious recognition in EdTech, the Bett Awards should top your list. Run in partnership with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), these awards are the official honors of Bett UK—one of the world's largest education technology events. Winning here means instant credibility with thousands of educators, procurement officers, and industry leaders who descend on London each January.

The awards celebrate outstanding education technology products and organizations across multiple categories. For EdTech companies and educational institutions with proven innovative solutions, this is your chance to stand on stage in front of the global education community.

Entry Fee: $430 + VAT | Deadline: September 26, 2025 | Awards: January 21, 2026 in London, UK
bettawards.com

2. The CODiE Awards

With over four decades of history, the CODiE Awards from the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) carry serious weight in the software world. These aren't newcomer awards trying to make a name—they're the established benchmark for excellence in software and digital content.

The education technology categories span K–12, higher education, and workforce development, rewarding solutions that demonstrate measurable impact on teaching and learning. A CODiE win tells the market you're not just iterating on existing ideas—you're genuinely innovating. For software and information companies ready to prove their EdTech chops, this is where you make your mark.

Entry Fee: $1,150 | Deadline: March 20, 2026 | Awards: July 22, 2026 (Online)
codieawards.com

3. WorldWiDE EdTech Awards

Here's what sets the WorldWiDE EdTech Awards apart: they're obsessed with outcomes. Organized by WorldWiDE EdTech Insights, these awards don't just celebrate shiny new technology—they honor education technology that demonstrably improves learning outcomes and accessibility. If your solution makes a genuine difference in how students learn or how accessible education becomes, this award program wants to hear from you.

The awards cover all educational sectors, from early childhood through higher education to workforce learning, making them relevant whether you're building tools for kindergarteners or corporate training platforms. The online format means EdTech organizations of any size, anywhere in the world, can participate without the hassle and expense of international travel. Better yet, entry is completely free.

Entry Fee: Free | Deadline: December 14, 2025 | Awards: February 9, 2026 (Online)
worldwide-edtech.org/awards

4. The EdTech Awards by EdTech Digest

EdTech Digest has been covering the education technology landscape for years, and their annual EdTech Awards reflect that deep industry knowledge. These awards recognize the full spectrum of EdTech excellence—individuals driving change, products solving real problems, and organizations making measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and workforce learning.

What makes these awards particularly valuable is EdTech Digest's media reach. Winners don't just get a trophy—they get featured coverage in one of the industry's most-read publications. For companies looking to boost their visibility with educators, administrators, and buyers who actually read EdTech news, this award delivers tangible marketing value beyond the recognition itself.

Entry Fee: $349 | Deadline: September 25, 2025 | Awards: March 11, 2026 (Online)
edtechdigest.com/the-edtech-awards

5. GESS Education Awards

Most awards focus exclusively on the technology. The GESS Education Awards do something different—they honor both the suppliers creating innovative EdTech and the educators implementing it effectively. Held alongside the GESS Dubai conference, these awards emphasize real-world application and measurable results in actual classrooms and learning environments.

This dual focus makes GESS particularly valuable for EdTech providers who can showcase strong case studies and implementation partnerships. You're not just proving your product works in theory—you're demonstrating it works in practice. The Middle Eastern education market is growing rapidly, and winning here opens doors with regional decision-makers and investors who might otherwise be hard to reach.

Entry Fee: $75 | Deadline: August 14, 2026 | Awards: November 11, 2026 in Dubai, UAE
gessawards.com

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Maximizing Your Award Application Success

Winning an EdTech award requires more than an innovative product, you need a compelling application that clearly demonstrates your impact. Consider these strategies:

• Document Your Impact: Gather quantitative data on learning outcomes, user engagement, and adoption metrics before you start your application.
• Tell a Story: Numbers matter, but so does narrative. Explain the problem you're solving and how your solution makes a difference in real classrooms and learning environments.
• Start Early: Quality applications take time. Begin gathering materials and testimonials well before the deadline.‍
• Be Strategic: Rather than applying to every award, select programs that align with your company's stage, market, and strengths.
• Follow Through: If you win, maximize the value by promoting your recognition across all marketing channels and incorporating award badges into your sales materials.

Plan Your Award Application Strategy

Mark these deadlines in your calendar and start preparing your applications now. Each of these awards offers unique benefits, from industry credibility and media exposure to networking opportunities with investors and potential customers.

The effort you invest in crafting strong applications can yield returns for years to come, establishing your company as a recognized leader in educational technology innovation.

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You can find all upcoming EdTech awards in our EdTech Awards Calendar.

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