Showcase your passion for Lighting. Enter now to be the SLL Young Lighter 2026!
To enter, complete the SLL Young Lighter Application form and submit six slides on any topic related to light. Applications for 2026 close on the 27th April.
Timeline
- Entry deadline (6 introductory slides outlining your idea) – 27th April 2026
- Shortlist for Stage 2 announced – week beginning 1st June 2026
- Closing date for stage 2 – 18th August 2026
- Shortlist Announced – week beginning 21st September.
- Young Lighter Final Live (Stage 3) A specific event for the Early Career Community in mid-October, with the finalists each giving a 15 minute presentation – 21st October 2026
- Young Lighter 2026 announced – week beginning 16th November 2026.
If you have any questions about the competition, please email to SLL.
Stage One
6 introductory PowerPoint slides outlining the entry
Can include images, illustrations, video, animations, voice, text. Should include:
- Title for your project/idea
- Why it is relevant
- What it will involve
We would like these to be sent through as a PowerPoint presentation (16x9 ratio) by email to SLL with the completed application form.
Stage Two
If your Stage 1 entry is shortlisted for Stage 2, entrants will need to submit a 3–5-minute video, and developing their ideas into a full presentation with either:
- a 25 slide (maximum) presentation or
- a 3000 word written paper.
The Society is open to discuss alternative methods of presenting your ideas, should your entry be shortlisted. Both the 3-5 minute video, AND either the 25 slide presentation or 3000 word written paper will need to be submitted.
Stage Three
Finalists will be selected and invited to deliver a 15-minute presentation in front of an audience. Following the presentations, a winner will be selected, receiving a cash prize of
£1000 and the title SLL Young Lighter 2026.
Notes:
- Applicants must be under the age of 30 on 27th April 2026.
- Only one applicant per entry
- Entries must be the applicants own original work.
- Entries should be prepared specifically for the competition; however, they can be a development on work previously carried out.
- All pieces must be capable of being presented in 15 minutes.
- If shortlisted for Stage 2, entrants will need to submit a 3–5-minute video, as well as developing their ideas into a full presentation (25 slide maximum) or a 3,000 word written paper. The Society is open to discuss alternative methods of presenting your ideas.
- Should you reach Stage 3, your presentation should be clearly linked to the development of your ideas, as delivered for Stage 2.
- Stage 2 video submissions for successful finalists will be added to the CIBSE YouTube channel and featured on the Society’s website.
- Entrants should ensure that visual aids in electronic format are compatible with equipment and software provided by the Society or the other supporters.
- PowerPoint presentations should be sent via email or another file sharing site. The Society will provide a laptop and a projector for the final presentations, should these be delivered to a live audience.
- The Society will pay for travel and one nights accommodation for any overseas finalists.
- Copyright in entries will pass to the Society of Light and Lighting unless otherwise negotiated.
- The Society shall have the right to provide copies of submissions in full or abridged form to the technical press for publication and/or review.
- The Society shall not be obliged to return entries to competitors.
Applications close on 27th April 2026.