Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 8, 2026, from the AEPD, approving the regulatory bases and calling the Privacy and Data Protection Award in Iberoamerica 2026 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 20, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 21, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | From July 21, 2026 to October 15, 2026 |
| Main award | €3,000 |
| Runner-up | €1,500 |
| Ex aequo (if applicable) | €2,250 per candidacy |
| Maximum total budget | €4,500 |
| Affected parties | Researchers, universities, companies and public or private institutions in Iberoamerica |
| Category | Data Protection |
| Year | 2026 |
If your company, university or institution has developed a relevant project in privacy or data protection between October 16, 2025 and October 15, 2026, you have a concrete opportunity to obtain economic recognition and institutional visibility. The Spanish Data Protection Authority (AEPD) is calling the Privacy and Data Protection Award in Iberoamerica 2026 through Resolution of July 8, 2026, published in the BOE on July 20, 2026.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution approves the regulatory bases and calls the Privacy and Data Protection Award in Iberoamerica for 2026. These are the key elements of the call:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main award | €3,000 to the winning project |
| Runner-up | €1,500 to a second outstanding project |
| Ex aequo | €2,250 per candidacy if declared by the jury |
| Maximum budget | €4,500 in total |
| Project development period | Mainly between October 16, 2025 and October 15, 2026 |
| Maximum project length | 100 pages |
| Required documentation | Complete project (max. 100 pages) + executive summary in Spanish |
| Submission method | Preferably electronic, through the AEPD electronic office |
| Submission deadline | From July 21 to October 15, 2026 |
| Desert award | The jury may declare it desert if no project meets the criteria |
The jury has full discretion to declare the award desert, grant an ex aequo or distribute the amounts among the planned modalities, always without exceeding the maximum budget of €4,500.
Economic and operational impact
From an economic perspective, the direct impact is the allocation of up to €4,500 in awards. But the real value for a company or institution goes beyond the amount:
- Institutional visibility: the award is backed by the AEPD, the control authority for data protection in Spain, with projection throughout the Iberoamerican sphere.
- Cost of participation: the call does not establish a registration fee. The cost is the time spent preparing the candidacy (project of up to 100 pages and executive summary in Spanish).
- Tight deadline: from publication (July 21) to closing (October 15) there are approximately 86 calendar days to prepare and submit the candidacy.
- Risk of desert award: the jury may not award any prize if it considers that the projects presented do not reach the required level.
Who does it affect?
The following entities can apply for the award, provided they have headquarters or main activity in Iberoamerican countries:
- Individual researchers
- Universities and research centers
- Private companies
- Public institutions
- Private non-profit institutions
The geographic requirement is decisive: headquarters or main activity must be in the Iberoamerican sphere. Projects must have been developed mainly between October 16, 2025 and October 15, 2026.
Practical example
A Spanish company with a subsidiary in Mexico that has developed during 2025-2026 a user consent management system adapted to the GDPR and Mexican data protection regulations could submit that project as a candidacy. It should document it in a report of up to 100 pages, accompanied by an executive summary in Spanish, and submit it electronically through the AEPD electronic office before October 15, 2026. If the jury selects it as the winner, it would receive €3,000; if it obtains the runner-up, €1,500; and if the jury declares an ex aequo with another project, each candidacy would receive €2,250.
What should companies do now?
- Evaluate if you have an eligible project: check if your company or institution has developed any relevant project in privacy or data protection between October 16, 2025 and October 15, 2026, with headquarters or main activity in Iberoamerica.
- Prepare the documentation: the project must have a maximum of 100 pages and must be accompanied by an executive summary written in Spanish.
- Access the AEPD electronic office: submission is preferably electronic. Verify that you have the necessary electronic identification means to submit the candidacy.
- Mark the deadline on your calendar: the submission closing date is October 15, 2026. There is no indication that the deadline is extendable, so do not leave the preparation for the last moment.
- Consult the complete regulatory bases: the resolution approves the specific regulatory bases. Review all the jury's evaluation criteria before submitting your candidacy.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can you win with the AEPD Privacy Award Iberoamerica 2026?
The main award is endowed with €3,000 for the winner and a runner-up of €1,500. If the jury declares an ex aequo, each awarded candidacy would receive €2,250. The maximum total budget for the call is €4,500.
Until when can you submit your candidacy to the AEPD Award 2026?
The submission deadline closes on October 15, 2026. It opened the day after publication in the BOE, that is, July 21, 2026. This gives approximately 86 calendar days to prepare and submit the candidacy.
What companies or entities can apply for the Privacy Award in Iberoamerica?
Researchers, universities, companies and public or private institutions that have headquarters or main activity in Iberoamerican countries can participate. The project must have been developed mainly between October 16, 2025 and October 15, 2026.
What documentation must be submitted for the AEPD Privacy Award 2026?
The candidacy must include the complete project (with a maximum of 100 pages) and an executive summary in Spanish. Submission must be made preferably electronically through the AEPD electronic office.
Can the jury declare the AEPD Privacy Award 2026 desert?
Yes. The bases expressly establish that the jury can declare the award desert if it considers that no project presented reaches the required level. It can also grant an ex aequo of €2,250 per candidacy if two projects deserve equal recognition.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official sourceNotice: This article is merely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15845