Dezeen promotion: entries are open for architects, designers and manufacturers to submit projects for this year's Iconic Awards, organised by the German Design Council.

Returning for its third edition, the Iconic Awards recognises exemplary projects in five categories: architecture, interior, product, communication and concept.

Submissions received from international designers, studios, brands and clients, will be assessed by an independent jury, who will select winning designs in each category.

Endowed prizes will also be awarded for Project of the Year, Architects of the Year, and Interior Designers of the Year – with a total of €30,000 (approximately £21,600) in prize funds split between the three. Another honorary award will be given for Architects' Client of the Year.

Previous laureates include John Pawson's minimalist remodelling of a church in Augsburg and a series of bus shelters for a tiny Austrian village.

This year's winners will have access to a marketing package that includes unlimited use of the Iconic Awards label, publication in a printed catalogue and online, and PR support.

All winners will have the opportunity to submit their projects for the German Design Award 2016.

Applications will be accepted until 22 May and winners will be honoured during a ceremony coinciding with Munich trade fair Expo Real in October.

For details about entry requirements and how to submit your work, visit the Iconic Awards website.

Dezeen is media partner for the Iconic Awards 2015.

Here is some more information from the organisers:

Iconic Awards 2015 – International architecture and design competition

For the third time, the German Design Council is organising the holistically aligned architecture and design competition Iconic Awards. The enormous success of the competition underscores the exceptional importance of efficient networking in the sector. This year, architects, designers, the building sector and industry are once more invited to participate in the Iconic Awards with their contributions. Applications for the competition will be accepted through 22 May 2015.

The German Design Council wants to close the gap in the awards scene with this competition: details, materials and furnishing elements are at least as important for the Iconic Awards as the building itself. Another main issue is the communication that reflects the approach and ideas of clients and architects.

An independent jury composed of renowned representatives from the fields of architecture, interior design, design and brand communication will choose the winners and Best of Best of the Iconic Awards in the categories Architecture, Interior, Product, Communication and Concept. In addition, the jury will award three endowed special prizes: Project of the Year; Architects of the Year and Interior Designers of the Year. A honorary prize dignifies the Architects' Client of the Year.

German Design Council

The German Design Council is an independent and internationally operating institution, which supports firms in efficiently communicating design expertise and simultaneously aims at enhancing the understanding of design amongst the wider public. Established 1953 on the initiative of the German Bundestag (the lower house of German parliament) as a foundation, the German Design Council is committed with its competitions, exhibitions, conferences, seminars and publications to furthering excellent design. Currently, 200 firms from Germany and abroad are members of the Council Foundation – with a joint payroll worldwide in excess of 2 million staff.

www.iconic-architecture.com