Forms uploaded are for the National Competition. The same forms & guidelines are used for the NKBA Nebraska Kansas Student Competition with the exception that students who currently work in the industry are still allowed to enter the NKBA Nebraska Kansas Student Competition and must be attending a school in Nebraska or Kansas.  Deadline for Student Design Awards is July 15, 2026  

Students who enter the NKBA Nebraska Kansas Student Competition receive 1 Free Ticket to the Awards Gala on September 24, 2026!  Students who enter will receive a ticket code for the Gala Registration. Students who do not enter the NKBA Nebraska Kansas Awards Student Competition may attend the Awards Gala at the student rate. All tickets must be purchased prior to the Gala

Not a student NKBA Member?  Click here:  https://nkba.org/signup/

Prize money for student winners:

1st Place $150

 2nd place $100

 3rd Place $50

Entrants must be NKBA Student Members enrolled in an educational institution on the date of submission. There is no cost to students to join NKBA.  

Projects entered must be completed individually by the student designer. Co-designers are not permitted.

+ Review attached rubric for full list of expectations

+ Separate entry forms are required for each project submission; one entry for kitchen and one entry for bath.

+ Drawings must be clean, easy to understand and professionally presented. Entries must be submitted digitally utilizing 11 x 17 page size or larger such as 18 x 24. 

+ Drawings may be hand- or computer-drafted black-lined originals or scans.

+ Required drawings include a floor plan with construction changes identified, renderings, and elevations (of every wall with cabinets and/or appliances) following NKBA Graphics and Presentation Standards (fully dimensioned). No color may be used on drawings, other than on perspectives and renderings.

+ Design statements must be typed and should not exceed one page in length. Design statements may be in narrative or bulleted format. Entries submitted without a design statement will be disqualified. Design statments should be 500-1,000 words in length.

+ A concept board must be submitted digitally. This should include images and may include a material legend or labels for each product.

+ Personal identification and school identification must NOT appear anywhere on the drawings or concept board or Design Statement.Personal identifiction on any of the previously mentioned items will result in an automatic failure. 

+ Colored perspectives and detailed drawing(s) of special construction to convey the concept are required.

Entries in the competition will be judged in the following categories: 100 total points possible.

1. Planning: 10 points each

•       Design Statement: 300-400 words. Should include the needs of the client or project as outlined for a class, design/project issues and how they were solved. Bullet points highly recommend. Recommended at least 5 bullet points with solutions.

•       Design Solution: Were the client needs met and did the designer create the best solution?

2. Creativity and Visual Appeal

•       Creativity: This is the “WOW” factor and visual appeal. 20 points

•       Innovative or creative use of materials: Were there any special materials used or materials used in a creative way to set it apart from other projects? 10 points

•       Color, Texture and Balance: Does the space creatively employ the use of color and/or texture? Does the overall aesthetic feel balanced? 10 points

•       Execution of space: Was the space used in the best possible way? 10 points

•       Product and material usage: Were appropriate products and materials used within the space in regards to safety, wear/longevity and durability? 10 points

3. Presentation: 10 points each

•       Presentation Standards: Was the floor plan or drawing provided to scale? Does it show proper use of space planning and/or scale?

•       Photos: Do the photos submitted tell a story about the project? Do the photos show any details to highlight special areas of interest?

Note: Professional photos are not required. If this is a new construction project, a PDF stating “New Construction” must be uploaded in the Before Photos File. If this is a spec project, this is permissible for students, but please identify it as a Spec project.