diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
index c9b61e6d..e3ce81d5 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ body:
       label: Related work checked
       description: List anything relevant you checked before opening this issue. Use issue/PR numbers like #123, or write `None found after search`.
     validations:
-      required: false
+      required: true
   - type: dropdown
     id: proposed_track
     attributes:
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
index 798d06fa..d08c61ca 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-blank_issues_enabled: true
+blank_issues_enabled: false
 contact_links:
   - name: Project support guide
     url: https://github.com/EAPD-DRB/MUIOGO/blob/main/SUPPORT.md
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_task.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_task.yml
index c93605cc..74ed5a63 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_task.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_task.yml
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ body:
       label: Related work checked
       description: List anything relevant you checked before opening this issue. Use issue/PR numbers like #123, or write `None found after search`.
     validations:
-      required: false
+      required: true
   - type: dropdown
     id: proposed_track
     attributes:
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question_blocker.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question_blocker.yml
index e77308e9..9cb3a50d 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question_blocker.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question_blocker.yml
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ body:
       label: Related work checked
       description: List anything relevant you checked before opening this issue. Use issue/PR numbers like #123, or write `None found after search`.
     validations:
-      required: false
+      required: true
   - type: dropdown
     id: proposed_track
     attributes: