The RIBA welcomes entries for the President's Medals from schools of architecture located across the globe by invitation only. In 2019, a record number of 404 institutions located in 80 countries were invited to take part in the awards. 

Each school of architecture can nominate, out of work produced by students during the most recently completed academic season, one dissertation for the Dissertation Medal category, up to two design projects for the Bronze Medal (Part 1) category, and up to two design projects for the Silver Medal (Part 2) category.