The IES Lighting Awards Program recognizes the professionalism, originality and originality of lighting design according to the individual merits of each entry. The judges are selected from a wide range of professional fields and they have extensive knowledge of lighting and design. The review system is based entirely on the degree to which the lighting design meets the program standards. The lighting award program is not a competition.

The Illumination Award for Interior Lighting Design sponsored by Edwin F. Guth, the Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting Design sponsored by Cooper Lighting Solutions, the Control Innovation Award sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association, and the Energy and Environmental Design Award are parallel programs created to recognize outstanding lighting design.