The 7th annual Tesla Awards program recognizes excellence in lighting projects that through the creative use of lighting systems and controls, illustrate the value of lighting including: improved visual performance, promotion of health and wellness, environmental impact including reduced light pollution/preservation of nighttime lighting quality, enhanced safety and security, and increased overall occupant satisfaction.
Anyone may enter a lighting design project for the Tesla Awards. Projects to submit should have been completed within the 2023, 2024, or 2025 calendar years. Submissions should be entered via the designated online submittal process found below.
Judging criteria include:
- Innovation
- Application effectiveness – adherence to high quality lighting principles
- Energy effectiveness – includes controls strategy
- Universality – how readily the design applies to other applications
- Sustainability – includes ease of maintenance, use of recycled materials in product/packaging or materials that are recyclable, and other environmental measures
For the second year, submitted projects will be eligible to receive a Special Citation Award for Innovative Lighting Controls, sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association. New for 2026, submitted residential projects will be eligible for a Special Citation Award for Exemplary Residential Lighting, sponsored by the American Lighting Association. Projects will be judged on innovation and application effectiveness with even more emphasis on the illustration of best practices that can be adopted across similar residential applications including but not limited to single-family, multifamily and 55+ housing.
You can submit today at: WWW.NLB.ORG
Early Bird Deadline: January 19, 2026 | entry fee: $50
Final Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026 | Entry fee: $100
Winning projects will be announced at the 2026 LEDucation trade show.
Location: New York Hilton Midtown
Dates: April 14-15, 2026
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