The Princess Royal Training Awards have announced a new opportunity for organisations to gain royal recognition for internationally delivered training programmes, reflecting the global reach of learning and development, whilst retaining a strong focus on UK and Ireland-based provision.
Royal recognition and much more
Supported by HRH The Princess Royal, the Awards were launched in 2016 to recognise organisations that demonstrate the measurable impact of investing in their people. Free from start to finish and assessed against a clear standard of excellence, organisations are evaluated on how their training delivers outcomes for their learners and wider business rather than competing against one another.
Widely regarded as a mark of excellence, the Awards deliver benefits that extend well beyond royal recognition. The 2025 Impact Report found that 74% of recipients said achieving the Award helped them better demonstrate the value of learning and development to internal stakeholders, whilst 69% reported increased investment in L&D as a result of the Award’s high standard.
Credit: Rachael Barron Photography
Award recipients join an active alumni network of more than 700 L&D leaders, gaining ongoing opportunities to share best practice, learn from peers and stay connected to the latest thinking in workforce development.
Recognising global training impact
Organisations delivering training outside the UK and Ireland may now be eligible to apply for the Awards, provided the same core training programme is also delivered to staff or volunteers in the UK and/or Ireland. Those renewing their Award recognition can choose to broaden the scope of their application to include evidence of impact from both domestic and international delivery, whilst organisations focused solely on the UK and/or Ireland provision can continue to apply.
By extending recognition to global delivery, the Awards better reflect how organisations operate today, whilst continuing to celebrate outstanding learning and development Within the UK and Ireland.
Credit: Rachael Barron Photography
Applications open until 20 March
Applications and renewals for 2026 opened on 1 December 2025 and close on 20 March 2026. There are plenty of support options still available, including workshops, tea & chat sessions, and a draft deadline on 13 February for feedback from Assessors. Successful applicants have made strong use of this valuable support:
“What was really beneficial was just the amount of support that the Princess Royal Training Awards team provide. I made sure that we joined all the tea & chat sessions, I had one of my team members go along to the in-person session in Dublin, and something I would urge everyone to do is get your draft in, even if it isn’t the final draft you’d like to submit.” – 2024 Award recipient
For more information about eligibility, the international offer or to start your application, visit the website or contact the Awards team at: [email protected]
