Answers to common questions about eligibility, submission, and judging

Frequently asked questions

Who can enter the BMJ Awards: South Asia?

Entries are open to individuals, teams, and institutions based in South Asia whose work demonstrates measurable improvement in healthcare.

Projects may be led by clinicians, multidisciplinary teams, public health professionals, educators, managers, or organisations involved in healthcare delivery or improvement.

Which countries are eligible?

Entries are accepted from the following countries:

Who is not eligible to enter?

Employees of BMJ Group and their immediate family members
Projects developed in direct collaboration with BMJ Group or its staff

What is the submission process?

The awards are delivered through a structured, multi-stage process.

Stage 1. Online submission

From 10 January 2026, eligible participants are able to submit their entry online after
confirming eligibility
and selecting the most appropriate
category.

Before submitting, entrants should review:

The submission deadline is 23:59 IST on 30 April 2026. Late entries are not accepted.

Stage 2. Shortlisting

Entries are independently reviewed and scored against published criteria.

Shortlisted finalists will be announced on Saturday, 20 June 2026.

Stage 3. Final judging

Shortlisted teams are invited to present their work in person to a judging panel in
New Delhi on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

Presentations are followed by questions on:

Data and methodology
Impact and outcomes
Regional relevance
Patient or community engagement
Sustainability and scalability

Winners are selected based on both the written submission and final presentation.

Read about the judging process.

How much does it cost to enter?

There is no entry or nomination fee.

Is there a cost to attend the awards?

No. Attendance at the awards ceremony is by invitation only.

What happens if I am shortlisted?

If your entry is shortlisted, the awards team will contact you with instructions to provide:

Additional project information
Team photographs
Supporting documentation, where required

Presentation guidance will also be shared at this stage.

What format should the final presentation be in?

Finalist presentations must be prepared in PowerPoint.

Presentation equipment will be provided at the venue.

When and where is the awards ceremony?

Saturday, 5 September 2026
New Delhi
Evening ceremony, from 19:30 onwards

When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on 5 September 2026.

What are the benefits of entering?

Finalists and winners from previous editions have reported that entering the awards:

Supports structured reflection on impact and outcomes
Enables benchmarking against peer organisations
Raises the profile of teams and initiatives across South Asia
Helps share transferable learning across healthcare settings

How can I strengthen my entry?

Strong entries:

Are clear, focused, and well structured
Support claims with objective evidence
Demonstrate scale or potential for wider application
Show learning relative to cost and context

Supporting material should be relevant and proportionate.

What do winners and finalists receive?

Winning teams receive a trophy and certificate, presented on stage
All shortlisted teams presenting at the final judging receive a finalist certificate

What is the conflict of interest policy for judges?

Judges are required to declare conflicts of interest.

They must recuse themselves if they:

Work at the same institution as an entrant
Are current collaborators with an entrant
Have a personal or recent professional relationship with an entrant

Declared conflicts will be published on this website.

What if I have a concern or complaint?

An editorial committee from BMJ Group reviews concerns or complaints.

The committee assesses conflicts of interest and reviews the process objectively.

The committee’s decision is final.

How can I contact the awards team?

If you have further questions, contact:

Email:
southasia.awards@bmj.com

Phone: +91 120 434 5733

Hours: 09:00–17:30 IST

If you are interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities for the BMJ South Asia Awards, please contact:

Amit Das
adas@bmj.com