Global Colourist Award 2026

Start Date: 01/05/2026

End Date: 30/06/2026

Type: A person within the first 10 years of their career in any colour related discipline

Global Colourist Award 2026

We are pleased to announce that the SDC Global Colourist Award for 2026 is open for entries.

Created to celebrate the knowledge, creativity and diversity of emerging talent across the global coloration industry, this award recognises the achievements of professionals within the first ten years of their career in any colour-related discipline. Whether working in academia or industry, entrants are helping to shape the future of colour through innovation and technical expertise.

We are also inviting innovation-focused organisations, sustainability accelerators and industry collaborators to help us identify and champion the next generation of colour-driven changemakers.

Prizes

The winner of the award will receive a certificate and be featured in The Colourist magazine, as accolade for the winner and their company. They will also receive £1000 prize money, that is kindly sponsored by Advanced Chemical Holdings Ltd. Finally, they will receive a fully paid visit to the awards ceremony which will take place in the UK.

Who can enter?

The award is open to anyone working with colour within the first ten years of their career, across any discipline or industry. Whether you are working in academia or industry, if colour is central to your role, this award is for you. This includes (but is not limited to) professionals across textiles, dyes and pigments, paint and coatings, printing, cosmetics, plastics, leather, food colouration and other colour-related fields.

Individuals working in roles such as research, development, application, testing, colour management, production and quality control are all encouraged to apply.

Apply Online Here

End June 2026	Deadline for submissions
July 2026	Initial review of applications
Early September 2026	Online Interviews
October 2026	Announcement of winner
Date TBC	Presentation at SDC Day of Celebration, UK

Submissions are open to anyone who meets the following criteria and applies on the official application form : A colourist working in any profession, where technical knowledge of colour plays a major part of that persons’ working day.

Nominations can be submitted by:

A supervisor/ works manager/ director – The person nominating/ referee must fill out the required form and give detailed accounts in all categories to demonstrate the nominee’s skills etc.
Individual nominations require a referee – The nominee must also complete a part of the application form to present themselves.

All applications should ensure that the person put forward for this award can support their claim within the following criteria:

Enthusiasm and commitment
Performance/ competence in the job
Contribution to the team effort
General knowledge of the coloration industry
A specific project that demonstrates their ability and knowledge
Must be prepared to present the project and/or their daily work and the development of their knowledge

Assessment

Initial trawl through applications to create a shortlist
Interviews to be held remotely for all candidates irrespective of geographic location. This will be as:
- A presentation by the candidate on their role and their contribution to the business and knowledge of coloration within their first 10 years as a colourist
- A question and answer session to provide the panel with opportunity to objectively assess the candidates knowledge of the subject