Used by 500+ orgs worldwide including:
Your programmes live in six different places
The awards run on a Google Form with scores in a spreadsheet. The grant round uses email submissions with PDFs forwarded to five reviewers. The open call is on a legacy platform with a contract you can’t escape until September.
Zealous replaces all of it. Every programme – awards, grants, open calls, residencies, fairs, commissions – runs through one platform. Same login, same dashboard, same support team.
Add new programmes without paying more.
Judges don’t finish, and you can’t tell who’s lagging
Two weeks before the deadline, half your panel hasn’t logged in. You’re sending polite emails that get politer every day.
Real-time progress tracking shows exactly where each reviewer stands. Automated reminders nudge anyone who hasn’t started – branded with your identity. Reviewers pick up where they left off, on any device.
Learn how to structure rounds and manage panels in our post on planning your selection process.
We were able to deal efficiently with a much higher number of submissions than anticipated. We will use Zealous again and would certainly recommend them to other organisations
Jane Hackett (Project Director)
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Every reviewer scores differently because there’s no shared framework
One panellist scores on gut feeling. Another invents their own rubric. The shortlist ends up reflecting whoever reviewed last, not what your programme set out to find.
Define criteria for each round with configurable score ranges. Impact out of 20, originality out of 15, presentation out of 10. Every reviewer works from the same framework. Anonymous review hides personal details automatically when you need it.
See all evaluation options on our features page.
Hosting our annual photography competition on Zealous was a revelation. The platform is incredibly easy to use at every stage of the process.
Imogen Bakelmun (Global 50/50)
UCL
Your programme grew, but your process didn’t scale with it
First year: one category, 80 entries, manageable. Now you’re running multiple programmes with different panels, different criteria, and different deadlines. The spreadsheet didn’t sign up for this.
Clone any programme for the next edition — categories, criteria, form fields, reviewer assignments all carried over. Adjust what’s changed, keep the rest. Past editions accumulate into a public archive that builds your reputation over time.
Plan for growth with our programme lifecycle planning guide.
Submissions deserve to be seen properly, not as compressed email attachments
Artists, designers, and applicants spend weeks preparing portfolios. Then email attachments compress their images and cap video at 25MB.
Images are preserved with lossless compression. Video up to 4GB, audio, documents, and embedded content from Vimeo, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Sketchfab for 3D models. Your reviewers see the work as it was meant to be seen.
Zealous is a welcome alternative to the time-consuming administration of our former system. It allowed our Board members easy access to submissions and the scoring tool simplifies our selection process.
Fatuma Osman, Cultural Affairs
Embassy of Switzerland
What kind of programme do you run?
Every use case has its own tools, language, and evaluation modes. Pick the one that fits your work.
Why organisations move to Zealous
What will it cost?
Use the calculator to estimate your subscription based on expected submissions, entry fees, and programme duration.
- Monthly billing: No annual contracts. Pause between cycles and only pay when you’re active.
- Unlimited programmes: Awards, grants, open calls, residencies – all on one subscription. No per-programme fees.
- Transparent costs: No setup fees, no onboarding charges. Paid submissions incur a small commission (2.2% + 20p, capped at £2 from April 1 2026). Free submissions cost nothing.
- Risk-free start: Get your first 20 submissions free. Test the workflow before going public.
- 33% off annual billing: Commit to the year and pay less per month
Costs & Income Calculator
Who should we send the quote to?
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Start your next programme this week
Join 500+ organisations running better programmes with less admin.
- Cancel anytime. Monthly billing, no annual contracts, no guilt trips.
- 20 free submissions to test everything before committing.
- Go live within 48 hours using ready-made templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is submissions management software?
It’s a platform that handles the full lifecycle of any programme that collects and evaluates applications – awards, grants, open calls, residencies, fairs, commissions. Instead of juggling email, spreadsheets, and file-sharing tools, everything lives in one place: submissions, evaluation, panel management, and result announcements. Take a quick tour to see how it works.
Can we run different types of programme on one subscription?
Yes. Every Zealous plan includes unlimited programmes. Run an awards programme in spring, a grant round in autumn, and a residency call in winter — all under one subscription. Each programme has its own forms, criteria, panels, and timelines.
How does online judging work?
You define scoring criteria and invite reviewers. They log in, see their assigned submissions, and score against your framework on any device. Anonymous review hides applicant details when you need it. You track everyone’s progress in real time and automated reminders chase anyone who hasn’t started.
What file types and sizes can entrants submit?
Images (preserved with lossless compression), video up to 4GB, audio, documents, and embedded content from Vimeo, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Sketchfab for 3D models. No storage restrictions, no limits on files per submission.
How do entry fees and payments work?
Payments are processed through Stripe and go directly to your account. Zealous charges a commission on paid submissions – 2.2% + 20p, capped at £2 (from 1 April 2026) per transaction. Stripe’s own processing fees apply on top. Free submissions incur no Zealous commission at all. Set different fees per category, offer promo codes, early-bird rates, and volume discounts. Full details on the commission fees page.
Can reviewers in different countries work at different times?
Absolutely. Reviewers log in whenever suits them, from any device. Auto-resume drops them back at the exact submission they last viewed. You see everyone’s progress on your dashboard and automated reminders go out to anyone who hasn’t finished.
How quickly can we launch a programme?
Most organisations go live within 48 hours. Sign-up takes two minutes. Start from a template or build your own form. Your first 20 submissions are free on paid plans, so you can test the full workflow before going public.
What does pricing look like?
Plans are based on submission volume, not the number of programmes you run. Monthly billing with no annual contracts. There’s a 33% discount on annual billing. No setup or onboarding fees. Unlimited support included on every plan. See pricing for full details.
Are we locked into an annual contract?
No. Zealous bills monthly and you can cancel or pause at any time. Many organisations pause between programme cycles and reactivate when the next season opens. No penalties, no lock-in periods.
How quickly can we get help if something goes wrong?
Unlimited support is included on every plan at no extra cost. Live chat is available during UK business hours, and most questions are answered the same day. Pro plan members get a free pre-launch review of their programme before it goes live. We also offer dedicated account managers on our Enterprise plans.
