Official ICAW Bookmark Contest Guidelines – Please read carefully.  If design entries do not follow these requirement exactly, the design will be eliminated and not entered into the contest:

1. Fee: Free to enter.
2. Entries per person: Entries are limited to ONE SUBMISSION PER ARTIST.
3. Eligible applicants: Open to ages 10 – 13 worldwide.
4. Submitting your entry: You must complete the online entry form application and checklist, and submit your bookmark online. Please include a short paragraph on why you chose to participate in the ICAW 2027 bookmark contest and give an explanation of your bookmark concept.
5. The bookmark must include the following:
   International Compost Awareness Week
   May 2–8, 2027
   All Paths Lead to Compost

The theme does not have to be below the date. You can use your creativity, but please make sure everything can be easily read. Do not add additional words or numbers to your bookmark. Failure to follow these instructions will disqualify your bookmark.

5. The concept and images of the bookmark should be based on the theme “All Paths Lead to Compost” and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure. Compost is the focus of the contest. When creating your design, please remember that the winning bookmark will be reproduced and distributed nationally. 

6. Only ORIGINAL artwork will be considered. No use of AI is permitted. 

7. Please check your spelling; any misspelled words or incorrect numbers will disqualify your bookmark!

8. The Compost Research & Education Foundation’s logo will be added to the bookmark below the winning image. Do not add any logos to your design. Bookmark that include personal or corporate information or product endorsements will be disqualified.

9. Copyrighted Images/Subjects: Copyrighted, trademarked products, packaging, brand names and advertisements may not be used within the bookmark. Original signed release forms are required for persons, whether public or private citizens, who are photographed and appear on the bookmark. Release forms can be as simple as a paragraph stating “permission” from “subjects” with a printed list of names of the individuals appearing and signed by the individuals. If the subject is under 18 the release form must be signed by a parent or guardian. This rule will be strictly enforced.

10. Electronic Resolution and Format: Artwork is to be submitted in electronic format with a resolution of 300 dpi and in jpg format. The bookmark contest winner will be requested to resubmit the bookmark design at higher resolution for reproduction purposes. Bookmark should measure 3” wide x 9” high and be vertical (portrait) in orientation.

11. Judging and winner selection: Entries will be judged by committee on the following criteria:

• Creative and original artwork and idea 
• Attractiveness in terms of design and neatness of layout 
• Overall impact: all graphics are related to the topic and make it easy to understand the annual theme 

Final Bookmark: The Compost Research & Education Foundation’s ICAW Committee reserves the right to alter the final bookmark design or to reject submissions. All submissions become the property of the Compost Research & Education Foundation and may be used for commercial purposes. No entries will be returned.

Deadline: October 22, 2026, 12 midnight EST
The winner will receive a $50 prize.

For questions, please send an email to icaw@compostfoundation.org