Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about eligibility, entry scope, evaluation, fees and verification within the IAF World Automotive Awards programme.
Entries must be submitted by an authorised representative of the applicant organisation.
The programme is open to members and non-members worldwide. Third-party nominations are not accepted.
Tip: Use a corporate email address and role/title that demonstrates submission authority.
An entry may represent a company, a specific factory or site,
a brand or programme, or a defined project team.
The key requirement is that the scope, impact and evidence are clearly defined and attributable.
Yes. The same organisation or corporate group may submit multiple entries,
provided each entry represents a distinct scope (e.g. different brands, factories or projects)
and is submitted separately.
Each entry is submitted to one primary category.
Organisations may submit the same initiative as separate entries to different categories,
provided each submission is tailored to the specific category criteria.
Large organisations are encouraged to structure submissions around
clearly defined initiatives, rather than attempting to
cover multiple topics within a single entry.
For example, a manufacturer may submit:
- One entry focused on factory-level sustainability practices under the Sustainability & Green Mobility category.
- A separate entry focused on a brand-specific digital or cybersecurity programme under the Innovation & Technology category.
Each entry is reviewed independently and requires its own impact summary and evidence.
Yes. A single legal entity may submit multiple entries
representing different brands, factories, sites or programmes.
Typical scenarios include:
- A production site submitted as an entry for operational excellence or sustainability.
- A specific vehicle brand or platform submitted as an entry for technology, design or safety innovation.
- A cross-functional project team submitted as an entry for a defined mobility or digital initiative.
Each submission must clearly state its scope and relationship to the parent organisation.
Yes. Each entry requires a separate impact summary and evidence package
aligned with the selected primary category.
While background information about the organisation may overlap,
evaluation focuses on category-specific criteria and outcomes.
Reusing identical documentation across multiple categories is discouraged,
as each category applies a distinct evaluation framework.
The same initiative may be submitted as separate entries
to different categories, provided that each submission is
purposefully framed for the respective category.
For example:
- A connected vehicle platform may be submitted under Innovation & Technology (architecture, cybersecurity, OTA lifecycle),
- and separately under Future Mobility (integration into smart mobility ecosystems).
Each submission is treated as a distinct entry and evaluated independently.
Each entry must be submitted by an authorised representative
of the applicant organisation.
For organisations submitting multiple entries, this may involve:
- The same authorised contact submitting multiple forms, or
- Different authorised representatives responsible for specific brands, sites or programmes.
All submitters must confirm they are authorised to represent the applicant entity.
There is no automatic application fee at the time of submission.
Depending on the category, scope and verification needs, a
post-submission participation fee may be proposed.
Any such fee is calculated transparently and submitted to the applicant for approval.
Participation fees, where applicable, may cover administrative handling,
structured documentation review, coordination of jury evaluation and extended
verification activities required to ensure comparability and integrity.
No. Site visits are not mandatory. They may be requested only where necessary for verification.
Any related costs (evaluator time, travel and accommodation) are treated as
reimbursable expenses and require applicant approval in advance.
Yes. Applicants may decline proposed verification steps or request alternative methods where feasible.
Declining additional verification does not invalidate the initial submission but may affect the depth of evaluation.
Submitted materials are treated as confidential and reviewed solely by the Secretariat and appointed jury members
under conflict-of-interest safeguards. Applicants should avoid including unnecessary trade secrets and provide
evidence at the level required for evaluation.
Submission deadlines vary by season and are published on the submission page and official timeline.
If an entry requires extended verification, the Secretariat may propose a schedule aligned with the awards calendar.
No. Submitting an entry initiates the evaluation process.
Awards and recognitions are granted solely based on jury assessment against published criteria.