Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science® Awards Competition

Celebrating Innovation, Leadership, and Impact in Environmental Engineering and Science.

View Past Winners

Since 1989, the Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science (E3S) Competition has recognized outstanding achievements that advance environmental protection, sustainability, public health, and quality of life.

The competition honors projects, programs, research, and innovations that demonstrate technical excellence, measurable impact, and creative solutions to today's environmental challenges.

Whether your work involves water resources, waste management, remediation, sustainability, industrial processes, research, or environmental planning, E3S provides an opportunity to showcase your accomplishments before a distinguished panel of industry experts.

Why Enter?

• Gain national recognition for your achievements
• Demonstrate innovation and technical excellence
• Highlight measurable environmental and community benefits
• Showcase results to clients, partners, and stakeholders
• Compete for category awards and the prestigious Superior Achievement Award
• Join a respected community of environmental leaders and innovators

Ready to participate? Reserve your entry today. 

Competition Categories

Projects may be submitted in one of the following categories.

Design

Projects involving the planning, design, or implementation of environmental infrastructure, facilities, systems, and engineering solutions that demonstrate technical excellence and innovation.

Planning

Environmental planning initiatives that support sustainable development, resource management, policy implementation, resiliency, or long-term environmental stewardship.

Research

Basic, applied, or field research that advances scientific understanding, environmental knowledge, technologies, methodologies, or engineering practice.

Operations and Management

Programs and operational initiatives that improve environmental performance, efficiency, compliance, reliability, or organizational effectiveness.

Sustainability

Projects that integrate environmental, economic, and social considerations to create long-term sustainable outcomes for communities, organizations, and ecosystems.

Industrial Waste Practice

Innovative approaches to industrial waste management, pollution prevention, wastewater treatment, resource recovery, reuse, environmental compliance, or process improvement.

Small Projects

Environmental projects of limited scope that demonstrate exceptional creativity, effectiveness, and value.

Small Firms

Projects performed by small consulting firms that illustrate outstanding technical achievement and client service.

University Research

Faculty-directed or graduate-level university research that contributes significantly to environmental engineering or environmental science knowledge and practice.

Judging Criteria

Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of respected environmental engineering and science professionals.

Judges consider:

• Technical excellence
• Innovation and originality
• Environmental benefits
• Sustainability considerations
• Economic effectiveness
• Social and community impact
• Transferability and broader industry value
• Overall project success

Successful entries clearly demonstrate how the work addressed a significant challenge and delivered meaningful, measurable results.

Awards and Recognition

Projects are evaluated by an independent panel of distinguished experts in environmental engineering and environmental science using a comprehensive scoring system. Detailed scoring criteria and evaluation requirements are provided in the Entry Guidelines.

Honor Awards

Honor Awards may be presented in each competition category to entries that demonstrate exceptional achievement, innovation, and technical excellence, as determined by the judges.

Grand Prize Awards

A Grand Prize Award will be presented to the highest-scoring entry within each category. These awards recognize projects that exemplify outstanding performance, measurable impact, and leadership in environmental engineering and environmental science.

Superior Achievement for Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science™ Award

The competition's highest honor, the Superior Achievement for Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Science™ Award, will be presented to the best overall project entered in the competition.

Selected from among all submissions, this award recognizes a project that demonstrates exceptional innovation, technical excellence, environmental benefit, and lasting impact on the profession and society.

Entry Fees

How to Enter

Submitting an entry is simple and completed entirely online.

Step 1: Reserve Your Entry

Complete the online reservation form to register your project and identify the appropriate competition category.

Step 2: Receive Submission Instructions

You will receive access to your secure electronic submission location along with detailed instructions and requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Entry Package

Follow the checklist.  Your entry should include:

• Entry form
• Release Letter
• Entrant Profil
• Project Description
• Testimonial Letter
• Presentations
• License or License Waiver Form
• Digital Photographs
• Short Project Summary
• Combine all files into a single pdf before uploading your entry.  View guidelines for details.

Step 4: Submit Supporting Materials

Upload all required documents and supporting materials before the submission deadline.

Step 5: Complete Payment

Submit the applicable entry fee according to the instructions provided during registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may enter?

Consulting firms, industrial organizations, utilities, public agencies, universities, researchers, and other environmental professionals are encouraged to participate when their work meets category requirements.

Can multiple organizations be recognized?

Yes. Projects often involve collaboration among consulting firms, owners, contractors, researchers, and public agencies.

May I enter more than one project?

Yes. Eligible organizations may submit multiple entries, provided each submission meets competition requirements and entry fees are paid where applicable.

Are entries submitted online?

Yes. The entire submission process is conducted electronically.

How are winners selected?

An independent panel of environmental engineering and science professionals evaluates entries according to established judging criteria. 

Questions?

For questions regarding eligibility, categories, fees, submission requirements, or deadlines, please contact the E3S Competition team.

We look forward to recognizing the next generation of environmental engineering and science excellence.

E3S Competition Reservation Form

The deadline for submitting completed projects is December 31, 2026.

2027 Entry Forms (click to download each document).

E3S Official Entry Form
E3S PE License Waiver
E3S Entry Guidelines
E3S Sample Entry Package

E3S Payment Submission Form (online form)