(Worldwide) – The 40 Under 40 Awards, an international programme recognising young talent in lighting design, is set to return for its 10th edition in 2025. The nomination window opens in May, inviting industry professionals to put forward outstanding individuals under 40 who have made significant contributions to architectural lighting.

Originally launched in 2016 as part of the now-discontinued Lighting Design Awards, the 40 Under 40 initiative has grown into a globally recognised competition. Since its inception, 320 winners have been honoured for their creativity, technical expertise, and influence in the field. After being briefly discontinued in 2021, the awards were revived by Filix Lighting, a former sponsor committed to keeping the tradition alive. Light Collective has since helped manage the competition, and this year, Selux joins as a new sponsor, further strengthening the program’s reach.

The awards attract hundreds of nominations annually, with an average of 300 entries received each year. While the UK and the U.S. have traditionally had the highest number of submissions, the competition continues to expand globally, reflecting the growing impact of lighting design worldwide.

Submissions are reviewed by an international panel of judges, including experts from Germany, Australia, the U.S., the UK, Spain, and the UAE. The selection process is highly competitive, with judges often noting the difficulty in narrowing down the field to just 40 winners. Organisers encourage past nominees to reapply if they were not selected in previous years.

The 40 Under 40 Judges 2025 will be Carla Wilkins, Lichtvision; Giuseppe Simone, Antumbra Lighting Design; Paola Pietrantoni, Studio Atomic; Jeff Shaw, Arup; Noemi Barbero, VBNB Lighting; Waleed Fakousa, CD+M Lighting Design Group

Nominees must be under 40 and demonstrate passion, talent, and a strong track record in lighting design. Nominations must include reasons why a candidate is exceptional before the nominee is invited to apply. Final selections are made based on talent, innovation, and contributions to the industry.

Winners of the 2025 edition will be announced in winter 2025, and a special celebration marking the 10-year anniversary of the awards is planned for March 2026 at Light + Building in Frankfurt.

The 40 Under 40 website provides further details on past winners, competition rules, and how to apply. Nominations open in May and close in September, giving candidates several months to complete their submissions.

For more information, visit www.40under40.events.