The Young Cartoonist of the Year Award was originally founded as the Mel Calman Awards in 1995, in memory of The Times cartoonist and Cartoon Art Trust founder.

[1] They are now run jointly by the Cartoon Art Trust and the British Cartoonists' Association.

[citation needed] Entrants are requested to submit one cartoon, in colour or black and white, drawn freehand to a maximum size of A4.

The awards are judged by noted cartoonists, including Oliver Preston, Martin Rowson, Steve Bell, Matt Pritchett, and Comics Laureate Hannah Berry.

Past winners include The New Yorker cartoonist Will McPhail[4] and Matt Buck.