An awards campaign costs at least the entry fee, which runs from $250 to more than $900 per entry on the major PR programs, plus the cost of writing, evidence and any video or travel. PRWeek's US Awards charged $595 per standard entry at the regular deadline and $915 at the final deadline, according to Everything-PR's 2026 guide. Entering early is the easiest saving.
By Ronn Torossian. Last updated: November 8, 2026. Fees come from the published schedules named in the table, for the cycles named. Fees change each cycle, so confirm the current figure on each program's entry page before budgeting.
What do the major PR awards charge per entry?
The major PR awards charge between $250 and $925 per entry at published rates. The table lists the fees found for each program and the cycle they apply to.
| Program | Published entry fee | Cycle and source |
|---|---|---|
| PRWeek US Awards | $595 standard, $650 agency and in-house, $250 education | 2026 awards, regular deadline, per Everything-PR citing PRWeek |
| PRWeek US Awards, final deadline | $915 standard, $925 agency and in-house, $550 education | 2026 awards, per Everything-PR citing PRWeek |
| PRWeek US Healthcare and Pharma Awards | $575 standard, $795 extended | 2025 to 2026 cycle, ceremony May 7, 2026 |
| PRNEWS Platinum Awards | $475 first entry, $350 each additional entry | 2026 awards, per Everything-PR citing PRNEWS |
| PRNEWS Agency Elite | $499 per entry, $199 late fee | 2026 entry page, July 24 deadline |
| PRNEWS experiential and content marketing awards | $450 primary entry, $299 each additional, $199 late fee | 2026 entry pages |
| PRWeek 40 Under 40 | $349 per entry, $200 late fee | 2026 entry page |
| CIPR Excellence Awards | £345 plus VAT standard, £400 plus VAT at the final deadline | 2026 awards, per Everything-PR citing CIPR |
| SABRE Awards | $250 to $515 for one entry, by region | 2025 regional cycles, per Everything-PR citing PRovoke |
| PR Awards Singapore | SGD 359 per entry, excluding tax | Marketing-Interactive entry page |
How much does a late entry add?
A late entry adds a surcharge or a higher tier, and the gap can exceed $300 per entry. Three standard PRWeek US Awards entries cost $1,785 in fees at the regular rate of $595 and $2,745 at the final-deadline rate of $915, a difference of $960.
Other programs charge a flat late fee instead. PRNEWS's Agency Elite entry page lists a $199 late fee on top of $499, and PRWeek's 40 Under 40 page lists a $200 late fee on top of $349. Set the internal deadline a week before the first fee change.
How do fee deadlines work across programs?
Programs use three deadline structures: a regular and a final rate, a flat late fee, or a stepped schedule. Cannes Lions published a schedule for its 2025 cycle with a base fee until March 6 and later fees that applied after March 6, March 20 and April 3, with a final deadline of April 10. The Stevie American Business Awards list entry fees that step up by submission date, with tiers for entries submitted before November 20, before December 17 and before February 11.
The practical rule is the same in each case: the earliest tier is the cheapest. A team that lists every target award with its first fee-change date can see which entries to finish first.
What do judges score, and what does that mean for cost?
Judges score results heavily, so the cost of gathering evidence belongs in the budget. Everything-PR reports, citing Cannes Lions, that the PR Lions are weighted 20% for idea, 30% for PR strategy, 20% for PR execution and 30% for impact and results.
That weighting means an entry with a strong idea and weak data loses a third of its score. Budget time and money for the evidence, such as coverage reports, survey results and client sign-off, before the writing begins. The PRWeek US Awards for 2026 covered work between October 2, 2024 and October 1, 2025, according to Everything-PR citing PRWeek, so results must fall inside the eligibility window.
What costs sit beyond the entry fee?
The entry fee is the smallest line for most campaigns, but no source publishes a benchmark for the other lines. Each needs a quote from the vendor or agency that will do the work.
- Writing and editing the entry, whether in-house or by an agency.
- Evidence, such as results data, coverage reports and client approvals.
- Video or creative assets where a category asks for them.
- Travel and a table at the ceremony. The PR Awards Singapore entry page says finalists must be present at the gala dinner to receive a trophy.
Some programs also charge for changes after submission. The same Singapore page lists 10% of the entry fee per change, and the PRNEWS entry pages say entry fees are not refundable.
What does a worked awards budget look like?
A worked budget adds the published fees for each planned entry and leaves a line for the work behind them. The example below is a hypothetical agency using only published fees from this guide.
| Planned entry | Published fee | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Two PRWeek US Awards standard entries, regular deadline | $595 each | $1,190 |
| PRNEWS Platinum Awards, first entry | $475 | $475 |
| PRNEWS Platinum Awards, one additional entry | $350 | $350 |
| PRNEWS Agency Elite entry | $499 | $499 |
| Total entry fees | $2,514 |
The $2,514 covers fees only. Five PRNEWS Platinum entries would cost $1,875 in fees and five PRWeek standard entries $2,975 at the regular rate. Writing, evidence, video and travel come on top, and they decide whether the entries are competitive.
How should you budget an awards campaign?
You budget an awards campaign by adding entry fees, a late-fee buffer and the cost of the work behind each entry. This formula is editorial judgment and not an industry standard.
- Count the entries and multiply by the regular-deadline fee.
- Add the late-fee difference for one or two entries that might miss the first deadline.
- Get written quotes for writing, video and evidence gathering.
- Add travel and ceremony costs for finalists.
- Compare the total with the coverage and credibility the award is expected to add.
The guide to PR firm cost for a startup shows how agencies bill work outside the retainer, and the guide to press release cost by tier covers announcing a win. The guide to choosing a PR firm covers who should write the entries.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter a PR award?
Entry fees run from a few hundred dollars to more than $900 per entry, according to Everything-PR's 2026 guide, depending on the program and how early you enter.
Are awards entry fees refundable?
Usually not. The PRNEWS entry pages for its experiential and content marketing awards say entry fees are not refundable, as does the PR Awards Singapore page.
Is an awards campaign worth the cost?
The answer depends on how the win will be used. Cannes Lions PR Lions winners such as Golin in 2024 and FCB India in 2025 remain cited industry references, according to Everything-PR, but no source measures the return on an entry fee.
Can I enter the same campaign in several awards?
Often yes, but each program has its own eligibility window and categories. Check the dates first, because the PRWeek US Awards 2026 covered only work between October 2, 2024 and October 1, 2025.
Do multiple entries get a discount?
Some do. PRNEWS lists $350 for each additional Platinum entry after a $475 first entry, and $299 for each additional entry after a $450 primary entry on its experiential and content marketing awards.
Before entering, list the entries, check each program's fee schedule and set the internal deadline a week before the first fee change.