2027 Engineering Excellence Awards

ACEC Delaware is proud to invite submissions for the 2027 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) – the state’s premier celebration of engineering innovation, impact, and achievement.

The Engineering Excellence Awards honor projects that go beyond expectations – showcasing exceptional creativity, technical mastery, and meaningful contributions to the public good. Winning entries represent the very best of Delaware’s engineering community and set the standard for excellence nationwide.

Engineers Week Recognition

Award recipients will be recognized during Engineers Week, February 21-27, 2027, a statewide celebration of the profession and its impact on everyday life.

This is your opportunity to:

• Showcase your firm’s most impressive work
• Highlight the talent and dedication of your project teams
• Elevate your firm’s visibility across Delaware and beyond
• Be recognized among the region’s most distinguished engineering achievements

Who Should Enter?

We welcome submissions from any firm engaged in the private practice of consulting engineering or surveying.

Project-Cost Categories

• Category A: Projects $1,000,000 and under in cost
• Category B: Projects between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 
• Category C: Projects $5,000,000 and above

Firms are encouraged to submit multiple projects. Each entry requires a separate Intent to Submit form and entry fee.

Key Dates

• October 30, 2026 • Intent to Submit form and entry fee due
• November 30, 2026 • Final application and all project materials due
• January 15, 2026 • ACEC Delaware award winners announced
• January 6, 2027 • ACEC National competition submission deadline
• February 19-21, 2027 • ACEC National judging weekend
• February 21-27, 2027 • Engineers Week February 2027 • Delaware Engineers Week Banquet and Awards Ceremony – date TBA
• April 20, 2027 • ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards Gala – Washington, D.C.

Project Eligibility

Eligible entries include engineering projects, studies, plans, or designs completed by consulting engineers. Projects may be located anywhere in the world, provided that a substantial portion of the work was performed by employees based in Delaware.

• Research, studies, or surveying/mapping projects must have been publicly disclosed by the client between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2026
• Construction projects must have been substantially completed and ready for use between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2026
• Projects previously recognized in other competitions remain eligible
• Firms may submit multiple entries

Entry Fees

• $500 ACEC Delaware member firms
• $800 Non-member firms with a valid DAPE Certificate of Authorization

Entry fees must be mailed by October 30, 2026, to ACEC Delaware, P.O. Box 1858, Dover, DE 19903.

Judging Criteria

Each submission is evaluated with equal weight across five key criteria – 20% each:

• Innovative or original application of techniques
• Future value to the profession and public perception of engineering
  Social, economic, and sustainable design impact
• Technical complexity
• Ability to exceed client or owner expectations

Final Deadline

All final materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on November 30, 2026.

Ready to Enter?

Contact Information

For more detailed information or questions, email info@acecde.org. Best of luck to all participating firms!

Crystal Timmons-Bryant
Executive Director
ACEC/Delaware