The Kerbflower Prize — Terms & Conditions (2025/26 Cycle)

1. Eligibility

• Open to podcasts based in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.

• Entries must have fewer than 30 published episodes at the time of submission.

• Eligibility window: episodes released 1 May 2024 – 31 October 2025 (inclusive).

• Both audio and video podcasts are eligible.

• Podcasts must be independently produced and not financed or primarily created by a major broadcaster, commercial network, or large production company (e.g. BBC, Audible, Spotify Originals).

• Small-scale support (such as Arts Council funding, Patreon contributions, university resources, or community media schemes) is acceptable.

• Entrants must disclose any external funding or institutional involvement. The organisers reserve the right to disqualify podcasts that do not meet these conditions.

• All dates and times are UK time (Europe/London).

2. Submissions

• Opens: 1 November 2025, 09:00

• Closes: 15 December 2025, 23:59

• Entrants must provide a description of their podcast and supporting information (e.g. inspiration, objectives).

• Each submission must include up to 30 minutes of audio or video, compiled from episodes publicly released within the eligibility window.

• A single podcast may only be entered once. Creators producing more than one eligible show may enter each separately.

• No refunds will be issued once an entry has been submitted.

2A. Clips

• Each submission must include no more than 30 minutes of audio or video.

• The clip may be:

  • a single unbroken extract from one episode, or

  • a compilation/showreel of shorter extracts drawn from multiple episodes.

• Clips will be judged on audio first, to ensure equal treatment between audio-only and video submissions.

• Entrants should select material that best represents the podcast’s strengths.

• Submissions exceeding 30 minutes will be disqualified.

3. Rights & Usage

• Entrants warrant that they hold all rights to the submitted material, including music, clips, trademarks, and artwork.

• By entering, entrants grant the organisers a non-exclusive licence to use podcast artwork, logos, and submitted audio/video for:

  • Judging purposes

  • Publicity (website, Substack, social media, press releases, promotional activity)

  • Recording and release of a podcast episode with winners

• Entrants agree that their podcast name, artwork, and extracts may be used in connection with the Prize in perpetuity.

3A. Warranties and Indemnity

• Entrants warrant they have secured all necessary rights, permissions, and clearances for submitted material.

• Entrants warrant that their submission complies with all applicable laws and does not infringe third-party rights.

• By entering, entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organisers of The Kerbflower Prize, its judges, partners, and affiliates, against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from or related to:

  • a breach of these warranties, or

  • the organisers’ use of submitted material in connection with the Prize (including judging, publicity, or distribution on official channels).

4. Judging

• Prescreening: December 2025 – January 2026 (eligibility and administrative checks).

• Panel review: January – March 2026.

• Headline scoring rubric:

  • Originality and creativity

  • Craft and production quality

  • Impact and audience connection

  • Distinction within the podcast landscape

• Judges score independently before discussion.

• Tie-breaks: if scores are equal, the panel will confer; if necessary, the chair’s decision is final.

• Conflict of interest: judges must declare any involvement with an entered show, including production, funding, or close mentoring. In such cases, they will be recused from scoring that entry.

5. Content & Legal Compliance

• Submissions must comply with UK and Irish law.

• Entries must not include defamatory, discriminatory, hateful, or otherwise harmful content.

• Entrants must disclose any branded or sponsored editorial involvement.

• The organisers reserve the right to disqualify entries that breach these requirements.

6. Administration

The organisers reserve the right to:

• Extend submission deadlines

• Substitute or add judges

• Make no award if entries do not meet the required standard

• Correct administrative errors

7. Anti-Harassment Policy

• The Kerbflower Prize is committed to a safe and respectful environment.

• Harassment of any kind—including personal attacks, discrimination, intimidation, or unwanted contact—will not be tolerated in any Prize-related context (online or offline).

• Breaches may result in disqualification and further action as appropriate.

8. Results and Recognition

• Shortlist announcement: April 2026 (exact date TBC on Substack).

• Winners announced: May 2026 (exact date TBC).

• The Kerbflower Prize is an online-only award: winners will be announced via Substack and website, with press notified.

• Where possible, a podcast episode with the winner will be recorded and released.

• No physical award ceremony will take place.

9. Data Protection

• Personal data will be used solely for administration of the Prize.

• Entrant data will not be shared outside the judging/organising team without consent, except as required by law.

• Submission data will be retained only as long as necessary for the Prize cycle.

• See the Privacy Policy for full details of data rights and retention.