ETIH Innovation Awards 2026: spotlight on Best Solution for UK Institutions
This category recognizes products and platforms purpose-built to support UK education through teaching, assessment, engagement, or operational improvement.
We’re continuing our series exploring each category in the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026, taking a closer look at what the judges expect and what makes a strong submission.
This edition focuses on Best Solution for UK Institutions, a category designed to highlight products or platforms built specifically for the needs of schools, trusts, colleges, or universities across the UK. Entries should demonstrate clear alignment with national priorities and measurable improvements for educators or students.
What this category covers
This category centers on solutions developed to meet the distinct needs of UK education settings. Eligible entries can include resources for curriculum delivery, assessment, safeguarding, student engagement, professional development, or operational efficiency.
Entries may cover solutions designed for:
curriculum-aligned teaching and learning
assessment, feedback, and progress tracking
student engagement and communication
data insights and school improvement
AI-driven personalization or workload reduction
SEND support or inclusion-focused tools
trust-wide management, compliance, or resource planning
Products must show meaningful use within UK schools, trusts, colleges, or universities.
What judges will look for
Judges will assess whether the solution addresses a clearly defined challenge within the UK education landscape and whether it demonstrates measurable improvement in outcomes or efficiency. Adoption within UK institutions is essential.
Entries should address:
the specific UK education challenge or policy context the solution responds to
the design approach, implementation model, and evidence base
how data, analytics, or AI support decision-making, workload reduction, or student outcomes
measurable improvements in attainment, engagement, efficiency, or wellbeing
evidence of adoption at school, trust, college, or university level
Strong submissions will provide both quantitative evidence, such as improvements in progress, attendance, assessment accuracy, or time savings, and qualitative insights from educators, leaders, or students.
How to strengthen your submission
Entrants are encouraged to include context on the UK education landscape and how user research, policy developments, or sector priorities shaped the solution. This helps judges understand why the product exists and how it meets real-world needs.
Detailing implementation lessons, scalability, and future development plans will support the case for long-term relevance.
Feedback from teachers, trust leaders, students, or institutional partners will further strengthen the submission. Quotations, survey data, or case studies can demonstrate how the solution performs in daily practice.
Why enter this category
Best Solution for UK Institutions provides an opportunity to highlight evidence-informed products that meaningfully support UK educators and students. Shortlisted entries will be featured on edtechinnovationhub.com and across ETIH channels, reaching schools, trusts, colleges, investors, and policymakers.
All entries are reviewed by an independent judging panel with experience across UK education, policy, and EdTech. The submission process also helps organizations refine their narrative, clarify impact, and highlight strengths in a detailed, structured way.
How to enter
To enter, visit the categories page, select Best Solution for UK Institutions, and complete the form. The entry deadline is Friday, 27 March 2026. The shortlist will be announced on Tuesday, 2 April 2026, and winners will be revealed on Monday, 27 April 2026.
Entry costs £80 per submission, or £150 for two or more entries. Payment can be made via our website. Once your entry form and payment have been received, confirmation will be sent by email.
For questions or further information, please contact Emma Thompson.
