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Engineering Excellence Awards

2026 ACECMN EEA Banner #2

Thank you to everyone who submitted projects for the 2026 EEA Competition!

Please Note: entries can no longed be submitted for the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards program. Competition resources will remain below for your reference, and you can expect more updates to this page as we moved towards the 2026 Gala on Friday, February 6th.

2026 Gala Save The Date Banner #1

2026 EEA Competition Information for Reference

  • Preliminary Entries were due Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. This is the link to the submission form.
  • Final Entries were due Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.
  • Project Eligibility: 
    • A construction project is eligible to enter if it is ready for use between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2025. The same dates apply for Studies, Research, Surveying or Mapping projects based on the date it was publicly disclosed by the client.
    • Projects anywhere in the country or around the world are eligible, as long as at least 50.1% of the design work was completed by staff working for your Minnesota offices.
  • Our Information Session for the 2026 competition was held on Tuesday, September 9th at 12PM - you can watch the recorded session at this link.
  • There were updates to the 2026 EEA Competition that are listed in full under "Recent EEA Changes" below, but here's a quick rundown
    • The Excellence in QBS Award is expanding to three categories - Twin Cities, Metro Area and Greater Minnesota & Beyond.
    • On your Final Entry, we're adding the option to upload 4 additional pictures / images for your project
    • Like last year, we are encouraging all entrants to present their project at the Gala with a 60-second video in place of the slideshow and images.
    • Another 2025 change that is continuing this year, ACEC/MN will collect your Photo Panel and print it for the Gala

The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition is your opportunity to celebrate and highlight the amazing work of your firm and the entire Consulting Engineering Industry. Even if this year wasn't the right fit to submit a project, make sure to join us at the Gala on February 6th!

2026 EEA Sponsors 10.30.2025 1

2026 EEA Competition Resources

Entries have closed for the 2026 EEA competition, but you can review details below.

One-Page Infographic

This handy resource has key dates and information and links for the Preliminary Entry submission page, as well as the ACEC National Call for Entries brochure.

A great starting point for learning more about the EEA competition or planning your entry.

Clicking will open / download a pdf.

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EEA Guidelines

The 2026 EEA Guidelines document has all the details on how to apply as well as more information on the ACEC National EEA competition.

You'll find guidance on dates, requirements for entry materials, details on how to format your Photo Panel and more.

Clicking will open / download a pdf.

Full Judging Criteria

The EEA Judging Criteria document outlines the major categories that are scored in the EEA competition along with the key questions judges consider when scoring for each category. Read through this document and put yourself in the shoes of the EEA judges to help improve and polish your entry.

Clicking will open / download a pdf.

Example Photo Panels of past EEA projects

Not sure about what makes a good photo panel for the EEA competition? See below for examples from past years that won big.

Panel for 2025 Grand Conceptor & People's Choice Winner - I-35W Underground Stormwater Storage Facility by Barr Engineering Co.

 

Panel for 2024 Grand Conceptor Winner - 3rd Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation by HNTB

 

Panel for 2024 People's Choice Winner - Redhead Mountain Bike Park by Barr Engineering Co.

Panel for 2023 Grand Conceptor & People's Choice Winner - The Dayton's Project by Meyer Borgman Johnson

Panel for 2022 Grand Conceptor Winner - Grassy Point-Kingsbury Bay Habitat Restoration by Barr Engineering

Panel for 2022 People's Choice Winner - I-35W Minnesota River Bridge Design-Build Project by Alliant Engineering

Thank you to everyone who attended our Awards Gala Friday, February 21st, 2025! It was a fantastic night at A'BULAE in St. Paul celebrating the excellence of the consulting engineering industry.

 

Looking for more past results? Take a look at the links below from previous EEA competitions:

 

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