Call for Submissions

Closing Date: 5pm, 30 November 2026 (Hong Kong Time)

Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), the HKIE 80th Anniversary Future-Ready Engineering Award recognises outstanding project-based engineering achievements that demonstrate forward-looking vision, innovation, sustainability, resilience and transformative potential.

Under the award theme of “From Legacy to Tomorrow: Engineering a Smarter, Greener and More Resilient Future”, the Award aims to focus project-based engineering achievements with strong potential to shape the future development of Hong Kong and beyond. Emphasis will be given to projects that are technically sound and capable of delivering long-term benefits to society, the economy, the environment and the engineering profession.

Objectives

Recognise outstanding project-based engineering achievements that demonstrate forward-looking vision and significant future impact
Promote engineering solutions that contribute to sustainability, resilience, innovation, smart development, energy efficiency and social well-being
Encourage HKIE members and the wider engineering community to apply creativity and professional excellence in addressing emerging challenges
Showcase Hong Kong’s capability in developing future-ready infrastructure, technologies, systems, products, processes and applications
Provide a platform for sharing exemplary engineering practices and inspiring young engineers, industry practitioners and the wider public
Connect past achievements with future aspirations under the Institution’s 80th Anniversary celebrations

Award Categories

1. Smart Utilities and Resilient Infrastructure Award
This category recognises engineering projects that contribute to a more sustainable, liveable, safe and resilient city. Submissions may cover smart utilities, sustainable and intelligent infrastructure, climate resilience and adaptation, environmental engineering, resource efficiency, transport and connectivity, public utilities, housing, social infrastructure, safety, reliability, risk management, and projects that enhance quality of life and community well-being.

2. Low-carbon Energy & Sustainable Development Award
This category recognises engineering projects that support the transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable future. Submissions may cover energy transition and decarbonisation, renewable energy, hydrogen energy, energy storage, carbon management, green buildings, circular economy, sustainable construction, waste-to-resource applications, water conservation and other engineering solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and long-term carbon reduction.

3. Artificial Intelligence, Digital Engineering & Intelligent Operations Award
This category recognises engineering projects that demonstrate the application of artificial intelligence, data-driven engineering, digital engineering and intelligent operations. Submissions may cover AI-assisted design, AI-guided operations, predictive maintenance, digital twins, smart asset management, intelligent transport, smart logistics, cybersecurity, digital project delivery, data platforms, automation-enabled decision support, and other applications that enhance engineering efficiency, reliability and future readiness.

4. Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Award
This category recognises engineering projects that advance automation, robotics, advanced manufacturing and construction modernisation. Submissions may cover robotics, smart construction sites, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing systems, new materials, additive manufacturing, quality control technologies, and innovative production or construction processes.

5. Life, Health & Well-being Engineering Award
This category recognises engineering projects that contribute to human health, safety, well-being and quality of life. Submissions may cover biomedical engineering, healthcare technologies, medical devices, rehabilitation engineering, hospital engineering, assistive technologies, indoor environmental quality, public health engineering, safety systems, emergency response technologies and engineering applications that support inclusive and healthy living.

Depending on the submissions received, the Panel of Judges may consider entries under the five categories collectively or separately, and may reallocate entries between categories if needed, providing flexibility while maintaining a clear future-oriented focus.

Eligibility

The submission shall be based on one distinct engineering project, technology application, system, product, process or initiative
The project shall be wholly or partly designed, developed, implemented or applied in Hong Kong or overseas, or shall demonstrate significant relevance to Hong Kong’s engineering development, provided that the project is substantially led by a Hong Kong-based team or HKIE member(s)
The project should have been completed, substantially completed, launched, commissioned, implemented or put into practical application preferably within the past five years
The project shall demonstrate originality, innovation, sustainability, resilience, smart application, scalability or potential long-term impact
The Award shall be open to both HKIE members and non-members. Each submitting team shall comprise a maximum of 4 members
Each entry shall clearly demonstrate the contestant’s involvement in the project, whether as owner, consultant, contractor, designer, developer, researcher, operator or other relevant project role
Each contestant or team may submit one entry only
Each entry shall be nominated by an HKIE Corporate Member
Submissions may include a programme, platform or integrated solution comprising several closely related projects or components, provided that they pursue a common objective and can be assessed as one coherent entry
Non-compliance with the award theme, eligibility requirements or submission guidelines may lead to disqualification, subject to the final decision of the Panel of Judges

Submission

Submission must consist of:

A completed and duly signed Submission Form
Supporting material(s) is welcome, including but not limited to video(s), PowerPoint presentation(s) or research paper(s), which should be submitted together with the Submission Form by email

Selection Process

First screening by the Panel of Judges
Panel interview for shortlisted contestants
Final judging and confirmation of awardees
Result announcement and prize presentation at the HKIE Annual Dinner 2027

Judging Criteria

Originality and creativity – 20%
Technological advancement / smart engineering application – 20%
Sustainability, energy efficiency and resilience contribution – 15%
Practicality, applicability and evidence quality – 15%
Project complexity and implementation – 10%
Scalability, replicability and future development potential – 10%
Positive impact on the engineering profession and society – 10%

The Panel of Judges may refine the detailed scoring guidelines having regard to the final award categories, nature of submissions and anniversary programme requirements.

The same judging criteria are proposed to apply across all five award categories to ensure consistency and comparability. Given the broad scope of the five award categories and the different types of engineering solutions involved, the Panel of Judges may take into account the specific nature, context, maturity, evidence base and intended outcomes of each submission when applying the judging criteria, so as to ensure a fair and balanced assessment within and across categories.

Prizes

For each category, the award levels are as follows:

Future-Ready Engineering Grand Award
Future-Ready Engineering Gold Award
Future-Ready Engineering Silver Award
Future-Ready Engineering Bronze Award

Award Level	Proposed Prize Name	Quantity	Recognition
Grand	Future-Ready Engineering Grand Award	1	Trophy, certificate and prize presentation at the HKIE Annual Dinner
Gold	Future-Ready Engineering Gold Award	1	Trophy, certificate and prize presentation at the HKIE Annual Dinner
Silver	Future-Ready Engineering Silver Award	1	Trophy, certificate and prize presentation at the HKIE Annual Dinner
Bronze	Future-Ready Engineering Bronze Award	1	Trophy, certificate and prize presentation at the HKIE Annual Dinner

Awards may be presented across the five categories, subject to the quality and number of submissions received. The Panel of Judges shall have discretion not to confer any award if submissions do not meet the required standard.

Deadline

All nominations must reach the HKIE Secretariat by email to grandaward@hkie.org.hk no later than 5:00 pm (Hong Kong time) on 30 November 2026. Late submission of Nomination Form and supporting materials will not be considered by the Panel of Judges.

Enquiries

The HKIE Secretariat
Corporate Communications Section
Tel: (852) 2895 4446
Fax: (852) 2882 6825
Email: grandaward@hkie.org.hk

The HKIE 80th Anniversary Future-Ready Engineering Award