Nominations Open for the World's Most Prestigious Engineering Award (£500,000 Prize)

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize), a globally recognised award that celebrates engineers whose innovations have transformed lives and delivered significant benefits to humanity.

Widely regarded as the world's most prestigious engineering prize, the QEPrize awards £500,000 to up to 10 engineers responsible for a groundbreaking engineering innovation that has had a demonstrable global impact.

Since its launch in 2013, the QEPrize has recognised 42 engineers whose innovations have influenced billions of people worldwide across multiple engineering disciplines.

Prize Value

£500,000 Prize

The award may be presented to:

• One individual engineer; or
• A team of up to 10 engineers

who are personally responsible for a groundbreaking engineering innovation of global benefit to humanity.

Who Can Be Nominated?

The QEPrize is open to engineers from any country and any engineering discipline.

Eligible nominees include:

• Individual engineers
• Teams of engineers (up to 10 people)
• Innovators responsible for transformative engineering breakthroughs
• Engineers from academia, industry, research institutions, government, or private sector organisations

Important Restrictions

Self-nominations are not permitted

Posthumous nominations are not permitted

Eligible Countries

Global Opportunity

The QEPrize accepts nominations from anywhere in the world.

Engineers from all countries are eligible for nomination provided they meet the award criteria.

What Types of Innovations Are Eligible?

The QEPrize recognises engineering innovations across all sectors and disciplines, including but not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics
• Biotechnology
• Medical Technologies
• Telecommunications
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Renewable Energy
• Clean Energy Solutions
• Aerospace
• Transport Technologies
• Materials Engineering
• Infrastructure
• Computing
• Semiconductor Technologies
• Environmental Engineering
• Water Technologies
• Digital Innovation

The prize embraces the full breadth of modern engineering and its impact on society.

Evaluation Criteria

The independent judging panel evaluates nominations based on three key questions:

Groundbreaking Innovation

What engineering innovation has the nominee or team created that represents a significant breakthrough?

Global Benefit

How has the innovation improved lives and delivered measurable benefits to humanity on a global scale?

Individual Contribution

Can the nominated engineer(s) be clearly identified as having played a pivotal role in the development of the innovation?

Nomination Requirements

Before submitting a nomination, nominators should ensure they can answer the following:

Does the innovation have global impact?

Can you identify up to 10 engineers responsible for the innovation?

Can you clearly explain the innovation and its significance?

Can you identify at least three suitable referees?

Referee Requirements

Each nomination must include support from at least three referees.

Referees should:

• Be recognised experts in the relevant field
• Have a strong understanding of the innovation
• Be able to assess its significance and impact
• Not be employed by the nominee's organisation
• Not be direct collaborators of the nominee
• Not be immediate family members

Selection Process

Step 1: Online Nomination

Nominations are submitted through the QEPrize online portal.

Step 2: Nominee Notification

The nominee receives notification that they have been nominated.

Step 3: Referee Review

Referees are invited to submit supporting references.

Step 4: Eligibility Review

Completed nominations are reviewed for compliance with the award rules.

Step 5: Independent Judging

Eligible nominations are assessed by an international panel of distinguished judges representing a broad range of engineering disciplines and global regions.

Step 6: Winner Selection

The judging panel selects the winning individual or team.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The QEPrize is designed to elevate the profile of engineering globally and celebrate innovations that solve humanity's most pressing challenges.

The award recognises engineering achievements that have transformed industries, improved quality of life, advanced sustainability, enhanced healthcare, strengthened connectivity, expanded access to information, and created new opportunities for economic and social development.

Winning or being nominated for the QEPrize provides international recognition and highlights the critical role engineering plays in shaping the future.

Key Dates

Nominations Open: 13 April 2026

Nominations Close: 26 June 2026

Winner Announcement: 2 February 2027

Click HERE to visit the official website.