Answers to common questions about preparing and submitting your work. The full rules and category requirements remain the reference.
Select a question to read the answer.
Who can enter?
The awards are open to eligible Canadian digital publications and creators. Main credited creators must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents; supporting contributors may be non-Canadian. See the complete eligibility rules before entering.
Which year’s work is eligible?
The 2027 awards recognize work published from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
What are the deadlines?
Entries open December 1, 2026. The early-bird deadline is January 15, 2027; the final entry deadline is January 22, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Payment for regular entries must be received by February 12, 2027. Leadership and Emerging Excellence nominations close March 1, 2027. See all dates.
Which category should I choose?
Compare the definitions, required materials and judging criteria on the categories page. If you are unsure, contact info@digitalpublishingawards.ca before submitting.
What should I prepare?
Prepare the work URLs, creator names and email addresses, your publication’s editorial mandate, and the supporting materials required for the selected category. Have a square 1000 × 1000 pixel JPG or PNG image ready for promotion if your entry is nominated. Check category-specific PDF limits and any required introductory statement.
How much does it cost?
Standard entries are $115 plus HST at the early-bird rate and $130 plus HST at the regular rate. The same early-bird and regular entry fees apply to all categories, including Emerging Excellence, Editorial Achievement of the Year and Digital Publishing Leadership. See fees and payment details.
Is there support for freelancers?
Yes. Eligible freelancers submitting their own work may enter one work for $75 early bird/$90 regular, or two for $115/$125 total. The discount applies to the first two entries, and the options cannot be combined. DPA support is not limited to cash-prize categories. See the Freelancer Support Fund for eligibility and how to request the discount.
How do I pay?
We prefer Interac e-transfer or Zeffy to help avoid processing fees; PayPal is also available. Include your invoice number with your payment. See the payment instructions for the current options and deadlines.
What if the work is behind a paywall?
Judges must be able to review your entry. Follow the access instructions in the submission portal. If you are unsure how to provide access, contact info@digitalpublishingawards.ca before submitting; do not post access credentials publicly.
Can I change an entry after submitting?
Contact info@digitalpublishingawards.ca with your entry or invoice number and the requested correction. The team can confirm what is possible at that stage of the process.
Can I enter a shared category through more than one awards program?
Some categories are shared with the National Magazine Awards and assessed by one jury. Check the current shared-category list and contact the team before entering the same work in the same shared category through another program.
Are sponsored or AI-assisted works eligible?
Both require disclosure and must meet the applicable rules. See the sponsored-content and AI sections of the entry rules; eligibility remains subject to the stated conditions and jury assessment.
How does judging work?
Peer juries review entries against the published category criteria, with conflict-of-interest safeguards. Read the judging process. Cash prizes are awarded only in categories that specify them; a tied Gold prize is shared under the DPA rules.
When will the winners be announced?
The 2027 ceremony date will be announced once confirmed. Subscribe for updates on finalists, winners and the awards.
What happens after I submit?
Keep your entry confirmation and invoice, and ensure payment is received by the applicable deadline. Contact the team if you need help matching a payment or correcting an entry. Watch for updates about judging, finalists and the ceremony.