Playbook
How to apply for competitions
Prize competitions in coding, design, writing, science and more judge entries against published rules. The rules page, covering format, length, originality and rights, is the most important document.
How these are won
- Read the rights clause before you start; some competitions take a licence to submitted work.
- Follow the format exactly (word count, file type, naming); entries outside it are often disqualified.
- Submit a day early, because upload systems slow down near the deadline.
Materials checklist
- Application form answersOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
- Work samplesOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.
A preparation timeline
Counted back from the deadline. Each program guide puts real dates on it.
- 28 days before the deadlineCheck fit and list the materialsRead the official page, confirm every eligibility rule and list what the application asks for.
- 21 days before the deadlineDraft the answers and documentsDraft each written answer and document from what you already have, citing real facts only.
- 7 days before the deadlineReview against the criteriaReread every answer against the published criteria, fill the gaps and check every upload.
- 2 days before the deadlineSubmit and keep the confirmationSubmit before the last day; portals slow down near deadlines. Save the confirmation.
Questions you will meet, answered honestly
Describe your entry.
What it is, what it does and what is original about it, in the competition's own terms.
Is the work original and your own?
Answer truthfully and declare any tools, collaborators or prior publication the rules ask about.
How Onward Scout helps
Onward Scout maps the official form field by field, fills it from your sourced profile and drafts the written answers; you review and tap to submit. If the form stops at a CAPTCHA, a login or a payment, you get a handoff with every field ready to paste.
Let Onward Scout prepare your competitions applications
Drop in the résumé, deck or portfolio you already have. Onward Scout builds a sourced profile, finds opportunities you can win and prepares each application for you to approve with a tap.
Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.