The Design Doha Prize is one of the most significant design awards in the region because it combines a major grant with mentorship and real global visibility. It is structured as a biennial prize for designers across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA), with four winners selected across four categories.

Important note: the official page indicates the 2026 open call is closed. This guide is still useful for understanding the programme, preparing for future cycles, and benchmarking what a strong MENASA prize application looks like.

Quick facts

• Format: Biennial design prize (four category winners)

• Region: MENASA

• Categories: Craft, Product Design, Furniture Design, Emerging Talent

• Application fee: Free to apply

• Award and activities: April 2026, including a prize ceremony at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha

Key dates for the 2026 edition (verified)

• Application deadline: 31 October 2025

• Judging session: April 2026 (attendance required)

• Prize ceremony: April 2026 at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

If you need the exact ceremony date and programme schedule, verify on Design Doha’s official calendar pages and updates, as timings may be released closer to the event.

Who can apply (eligibility checklist)

According to the official FAQs, applicants must:

• Be a citizen or resident of a MENASA country

• Be at least 18 years old by the application deadline

• Have a background in design

• Be available to attend the April 2026 judging session in Doha

• Not have previously won the Design Doha Prize

Extra rule for Emerging Talent:

• You must be currently enrolled in a design programme or have graduated between 2024 and 2025

If you are uncertain whether your country qualifies under the MENASA scope, confirm directly via the FAQs and the Terms and Conditions linked on the Design Doha site.

Categories explained

Craft

This category is for designers whose practice is rooted in craft disciplines (such as ceramics, weaving, glass, metalwork, and related fields) and who can show contemporary relevance through technique, concept, and finish.

Product Design

For functional products that show innovation, usability, and material intelligence, with a credible route to production and impact.

Furniture Design

For furniture pieces and systems with strong design language, build quality, and production awareness, across domestic and commercial contexts.

Emerging Talent

For early career designers from the MENASA region, including Qatar, who demonstrate clear potential and a serious design trajectory. The official FAQs define an enrolment or recent graduation window for this category.

What winners receive (why it matters)

The Design Doha Prize is notable because it is not only a cash award. The official prize benefits for the 2026 edition include:

• QAR 200,000 grant for each category winner

• A two week mentorship programme at Vitra Campus, including visits to partner brands (as listed by Design Doha)

• One year of free design studio space via Liwan Design Studios and Labs

• Access to retail exposure through Liberty London for one season (as described in the prize benefits)

• Media visibility through the programme’s partners and communications ecosystem

This combination of funding, mentorship, work space, and distribution is what makes the prize strategically valuable for designers trying to professionalise their practice and reach international audiences.

What you submit (application package)

The official FAQs describe an online application that includes written statements and supporting materials. The core components include:

• An online application form (including written answers)

• A proposed budget outlining how you would use the grant

• A portfolio showing recent work and practice context

• A profile (personal or company)

• One highlighted project that reflects your approach and design process

Professional tip: treat the highlighted project as a short case study. Show the brief, the research, key iterations, material choices, and the final result. That structure helps jurors understand both your thinking and your execution.

Can your work be displayed at Design Doha

Yes. The official FAQs state that the highlighted project can be borrowed for display, with a separate loan agreement and return after the event.

Terms and rights (read this before applying)

The Terms and Conditions linked by Design Doha include important points designers should understand, especially around licensing and usage. In summary (verify the full legal text in the official PDF):

• You confirm you are the creator and rights holder of the submitted design

• Winners retain copyright

• Winners grant Qatar Museums a perpetual, non exclusive licence to use and reproduce the design for prize related promotional and non commercial purposes

• The QAR 200,000 award is paid under a separate agreement after winners are announced

If you collaborate with manufacturers, studios, or brand partners, clarify ownership and permissions before applying.

How to build a strong submission (practical strategy)

1) Choose the category that matches your practice

Do not force a project into the wrong category. Fit matters for jury interpretation and fairness.

2) Make your budget credible and specific

Tie the grant to clear actions: prototyping, production tests, research travel, documentation, materials, manufacturing, or market readiness. Avoid vague “studio development” lines without outcomes.

3) Show process, not only final images

Jurors often see beautiful outcomes. What distinguishes top applications is rigorous thinking, iteration, and material logic.

4) Keep cultural relevance specific

If your work draws on heritage, show research and technique lineage. Avoid generic references that could apply anywhere.

5) Assume your portfolio is reviewed fast

Make it scannable: consistent formatting, clear titles, short captions, and one strong narrative thread.

If you missed the deadline

The official deadline for the 2026 edition was 31 October 2025, and the 2026 open call is listed as closed.
If you are aiming for the next cycle:

• Subscribe to Design Doha updates and monitor the official calendar

• Prepare assets now: portfolio refresh, budget template, and a highlighted project case study

• Track related Design Doha programming, which often signals upcoming timelines

Why this matters for the GCC and wider MENA creative economy

Design prizes like this accelerate the region’s creative industries by building credibility, supporting production quality, and creating bridges to international partners. For designers, it is a rare opportunity that rewards both craft excellence and commercial potential.

The Art Fair Guy Consultancy

Designers: If you are targeting top regional prizes, I can help you select your strongest project, tighten your narrative, and structure a juror friendly submission package that aligns with the category criteria.

Organisers: If you are building a prize, fair, or festival in the GCC, I can help you structure open calls, selection criteria, and jury workflows so your initiative attracts higher quality applicants and retains credibility over time.

FAQ

What is the Design Doha Prize

A biennial prize for MENASA designers with four categories: Craft, Product Design, Furniture Design, and Emerging Talent.

What was the deadline for the 2026 edition

The official FAQs list the deadline as 31 October 2025.

Who can apply

Citizens or residents of MENASA countries, 18+, with a design background, and availability to attend the April 2026 judging session in Doha. Emerging Talent has an additional enrolment or graduation requirement.

How much is the award

Each category winner receives a QAR 200,000 grant, plus mentorship and support elements described by Design Doha.

Is there an application fee

No. The official FAQs state submissions are free.

Will my project be exhibited

The highlighted project can be borrowed for display with a separate loan agreement and returned after the event.