The award invites those wishing to participate to submit their entries via its official website, gca.sgmb.ae, review the participation requirements and evaluation criteria, and complete their nomination files before entries close on 22 September 2026.

The two categories bring together initiative and knowledge as complementary pathways for developing the communications sector. The first provides young people with a platform to present communication initiatives that engage with public and community issues, while the second focuses on research that offers new knowledge, perspectives, and methodologies to support the development of communication practices.

Youth and communication research

Alya Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, said: “The Sharjah Government Communication Award is keen to provide young people and researchers with a platform to present ideas and experiences that contribute to the development of the communication sector. Youth initiatives bring fresh perspectives and the ability to understand and respond to change, while scientific research provides the knowledge and methodologies needed to develop practices and build more effective communication solutions.”

Al Suwaidi added: “Through these two categories, we seek to encourage youth initiatives that transform ideas into tangible impact in society and to support research that connects knowledge with practical application and produces results that can serve as a foundation for further development. This strengthens the role of communication in serving society and in developing the relationship between institutions and their audiences.”

Youth initiatives

The “Best Youth Initiative in Communication” category recognises initiatives led or implemented by young people that have successfully presented innovative ideas for communicating with the community or government entities on important public issues, thereby strengthening the presence and role of young people in developing communication channels between governments and the public.

The category includes initiatives and campaigns that have promoted community dialogue, raised public awareness, and encouraged participation in public affairs, as well as media and communication projects and digital initiatives that use social media and various platforms to create a positive impact and address social or development issues.

The category also assesses the initiative’s ability to transform a youth idea into a communication project that delivers tangible impact and encourages government or community entities to launch initiatives, policies, or programmes related to the issue it addresses. Other considerations include the clarity of the idea and objectives, the quality of implementation, the effectiveness of the communication channels used, the level of interaction and participation, and the initiative’s capacity for development and continuity.

Knowledge and communication

By bringing scientific research together with professional application, the “Best Research in Communication Sciences” category recognises research that advances communication knowledge and provides scientific insights to help understand the rapid changes taking place in the contemporary communication environment.

Entries include peer-reviewed academic research, specialised books on communication and media, master’s and doctoral theses, studies and reports issued by research centres, as well as applied research offering new solutions or models for developing communication practices.

The category is open to researchers and academics in communication and media sciences, postgraduate students in related fields, specialised research and study centres, and authors who have produced influential books or scientific studies, provided that the nominated work has academic or scientific recognition in line with the category’s requirements.

The evaluation criteria consider the extent to which the research advances knowledge in communication sciences and the impact of its findings on understanding communication issues and on improving professional practices. They also assess the clarity of the research problem and objectives, the strength of the theoretical and methodological framework, the accuracy of the analysis and scientific reasoning, the quality of writing and the organisation of ideas, and the documentation of sources.

The two categories reflect the diversity of the Sharjah Government Communication Award in its 13th edition, which comprises 23 categories across five sectors, including Awards for Government Agencies and International Organisations; individual awards; the Best Innovators Competition in Smart Communication; Jury Awards; and Partner Awards. This offers multiple opportunities to participate and to showcase experiences and practices in the communications sector.