APWA Awards 2026

Purpose

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in the management, administration, and implementation of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who work together to complete public works projects.

Awards are given in four divisions. Please use the agency’s total cost when selecting your price division. 

• Projects less than $5 million
• Projects of $5 million, but less than $25 million
• Projects of $25 million to $75 million
• Projects more than $75 million

And five categories:

• Structures—to include new public structures or the preservation or rehabilitation of existing public structures including, municipal buildings and parks. Other structures as defined in the Historic Restoration/Preservation and Transportation categories shall not be considered in the structures category 
• Transportation—to include roads, bridges, mass transit that serve any or all modes of travel, including bicycles and foot traffic. Other transportation projects as defined in the Historical Restoration/Preservation and Structures categories shall not be considered in the Transportation category 
• Environment—to include treatment and recycling facilities, landfill reclamation projects, and sewer projects
• Historical Restoration/Preservation—to include historical restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, structures, and facilities, that are 75 years or older to qualify as historical
• Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair—to include the techniques and timing for safety, community relations, environmental protection, adverse conditions, and additional considerations.

Eligibility

Public works projects must be developed, owned, and maintained by public agencies. To be eligible for nomination, a project must have been “substantially completed” and available for public and/or agency use within two calendar years prior to nomination. If a project has multiple phases or segments, then “substantially completed” will be construed as that point when the final phase or segment is 90 percent completed and available for public and/or agency use.

A project may only be nominated once for recognition as “Project of the Year” under any category.

Selection

The Project of the Year Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Criteria to be used in the selection process include:

1. Use of good construction management techniques and completion of the project on schedule
2. Safety performance and demonstrated awareness of the need for a good overall safety program for workers and the public during and after construction, where applicable
3. Community relations as evidenced by efforts to minimize public inconvenience due to construction, safety precautions to protect public lives and property, provision of observation areas, guided tours, or other means of improving relations between agency and the public
4. Demonstrated awareness for the need to protect the environment. This includes any special considerations given to particular environmental concerns raised during the course of the project, as well as climate change and/or resiliency components for long-term community benefit
5. Unusual accomplishments under adverse conditions including, but not limited to age or condition of the facility, adverse weather, soil or other site conditions over which there is no control
6. Additional conditions deemed of importance to the public works agency, such as exceptional efforts to maintain quality control and, if value engineering is used, construction innovations as evidenced by time and/or money saving techniques developed and/or successfully utilized
7. Use of alternative materials, practices, or funding that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, climate change resiliency, and/or use of sustainable infrastructure rating system or the equivalent. 

Nomination Process

Nominations of projects can be made by the managing public agency or APWA chapters. Submissions are limited to 20 pages. Please address each of the following areas in your nomination, adhering to the sequence above. No letters of recommendations, please. Simultaneous nomination of the same project in both Public Works Project of the Year and SC/RC Project of the Year or in two categories is not permitted.

Nominations not chosen in a specific year for the Public Works Project of the Year, or the Small Cities/Rural Communities Award cannot be resubmitted in a subsequent year.

Projects that involve or reside within two or more chapters location can be co-nominated. All Chapters must be identified on the nomination form and before the nominations are judged.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

A designated representative of the public agency, contractor, and consultant are presented a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX, and winners are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award for agencies from cities or counties with a population of 50,000 or less is established to promote excellence in demonstrating creativity, ingenuity, and efficiency in the delivery of public works projects that have a profound impact on the community.

The award is given for positive impact in the community as compared to dollar amount. Project categories are:

• Structures—to include new public structures or the preservation or rehabilitation of existing public structures including, municipal buildings and parks. Other structures as defined in the Historic Restoration/Preservation and Transportation categories shall not be considered in the structures category 
• Transportation—to include roads, bridges, mass transit that serve any or all modes of travel, including bicycles and foot traffic. Other transportation projects as defined in the Historical Restoration/Preservation and Structures categories shall not be considered in the Transportation category 
• Environment—to include treatment and recycling facilities, landfill reclamation projects, and sewer projects
• Historical Restoration/Preservation—to include historical restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, structures, and facilities, that are 75 years or older to qualify as historical
• Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair—to include the techniques and timing for safety, community relations, environmental protection, adverse conditions, and additional considerations.

Eligibility

Public works projects must be developed, owned, and maintained by public agencies. To be eligible for nomination, a project must have been “substantially completed” and available for public and/or agency use within two calendar years prior to nomination. If a project has multiple phases or segments, then “substantially completed” will be construed as that point when the final phase or segment is 90 percent completed and available for public and/or agency use.

A project may only be nominated once for recognition as “Project of the Year” under any category.

Selection

The Project of the Year Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Criteria to be used in the selection process include:

1. Development of the project to meet a perceived need of the community
2. Use of alternative materials, practices, or funding that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and/or use of sustainable infrastructure rating system or the equivalent
3. Unique or unusual accomplishments under adverse conditions that dictated the defined action
4. Economic challenges that the community faced and the rationale of the option chosen
5. Creative use of municipal resources, equipment, labor, or funds that produced measurable benefits to the community 
6. Construction processes that minimize the impact to the community and its residents during construction 
7. Demonstrate awareness of opportunities for environmental preservation during the project and how they were incorporated in the project design and construction
8. Additional conditions deemed of importance to the public works agency, such as exceptional efforts to maintain quality control and, if value engineering is used, construction innovations as evidenced by time and/or money‐saving techniques developed and/or successfully utilized.
   

Nomination Process

Nominations of projects can be made by the managing public agency or APWA chapters. Submissions are limited to 20 pages. Please address each of the following areas in your nomination, adhering to the sequence above. No letters of recommendations, please. Simultaneous nomination of the same project in both Public Works Project of the Year and SC/RC Project of the Year or in two categories is not permitted.

Nominations not chosen in a specific year for the Public Works Project of the Year, or the Small Cities/Rural Communities Award cannot be resubmitted in a subsequent year.

Projects that involve or reside within two or more chapters location can be co-nominated. All Chapters must be identified on the nomination form and before the nominations are judged.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

A designated representative of the public agency, contractor, and consultant are presented a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX, and winners are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

The Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year award seeks to inspire excellence and dedication in public service by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals and officials, from both the public and private sectors. The primary focus of the award is on career service to the public works profession rather than on any one single event or project.

Eligibility

It is the intent of this award to recognize the career service accomplishments of public works professionals and officials. Toward that end, candidates with a minimum of 10 years qualifying experience may be nominated from any of the following categories. APWA membership is required. Members of the APWA Board of Directors are not eligible during the time they serve on the Board. Individuals are only eligible to receive the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award on one occasion.

Public Sector

Public sector candidates may come from any of the three following categories having a minimum of 10 years qualifying experience:

• Any non-elected employee of a federal, state, provincial, county, or municipal government who is responsible for one or more major subdivisions of a governmental agency. Most of the candidate’s time and efforts must be devoted to the administration and management of the design, construction, maintenance, and/or operation of a street or highway system, refuse collection or disposal system, public building, drainage or flood control facility, airport, harbor, utilities, or any other type of public works installation
• Service in an appointed (non-elected) position on a board or commission charged with the oversight or policy level review of public works or infrastructure issues. Such service may have been at the federal, state, provincial, county, or municipal government level dealing with surface transportation systems, refuse, solid waste and recycling systems, public buildings, drainage or flood control, airports, harbors, or any other type of public works or infrastructure systems. Such positions may typically be represented by the following examples: City Manager, Public Works Commissioner, Roads Commissioner, Highway Commissioner, Transportation Commissioner, Airport Commissioner, Port Authority Commissioner, or other comparable position
• Elected officials who have prior qualifying experience from either category above may also be considered as candidates.

Private Sector

Private sector public works and/or civil engineering professionals having a minimum of 10 years of involvement in public sector public works activities may be eligible, if their qualifying activities have come from the following areas:

• Experience as a contract Director of Public Works/City Engineer or comparable position, which was provided by means of a contract service from a private sector firm to a governmental entity; or 
• A combination of prior qualifying experience in the public sector and/or service as a consultant engaged in the provision of public works-related services to the public sector.
  

Selection

The Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year are selected by five past Top Ten award recipients appointed by the APWA President.

Nomination Process

Any governmental entity, group, or individual may nominate candidates. Nominations are particularly encouraged from APWA chapters and branches. Self-nominations are not accepted. APWA membership is required. Address the following areas listed below following the same sequence. Nominations are limited to 20 pages.

Employment Record

Briefly list all employment positions dates of each position and description of each position and description of responsibilities. Begin with most current and include consulting work.

Job-Related Technical and Managerial Accomplishments

Describe all major achievements and accomplishments. State specific role in each. Include innovations in technical and/or managerial fields. Describe your commitment to advancing other people in career and profession. NOTE: This section weighs most heavily in the judging process.

Initial and Lifelong Education

Include colleges and universities attended, dates of attendance, majors, and degrees received. List attendance at professional institutes and on-the-job training.

Publications and/or Presentations

List any published articles and/or papers delivered at professional meetings.

Community Service

List organizations, activities, offices held.

Awards

List educational, professional, and civic awards include recognition for public service.

Additional Directions

Nominations should be limited to no more than 20 pages. The 20 pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator, or letters of recommendation, which should be limited to six.

If submission has a letter of introduction (maximum of two pages) should be placed in front of the nomination. Submittal should address the areas outlined above in the sequence stated. Letters of recommendation will be accepted provided each letter cites specific examples of professional involvement with the nominee. Letters should be placed at the end of the nomination and no letters will be accepted after the nomination deadline. Include at least one high-definition color photograph (head shot) of the nominee with submittal.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque during National Public Works Week and recognized during PWX, and other such venues as the association deems appropriate. Winners are also featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

To recognize outstanding and meritorious achievement of individuals for their work in delivering educational opportunities for all levels of individuals engaged in the delivery of public works services as well as assisting in the areas of continuing and graduate professional education for public works professionals.

Eligibility

This award recognizes individuals who are APWA members.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process. 

• Identify accomplishments in education programs—provide specific information related to the accomplishments that attest to the nominee’s positive impact in the area of continuing education and/or graduate professional programs for public works professionals at all levels
• Describe the educational challenges and approach—provide detailed information on the originality and approach utilized to create educational programs for continuing and/or graduate professional programs. (If a published document of the program was created, it may be included as an appendix.)

Nomination Process

Individual candidates must be nominated by a member or chapter of APWA. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

To recognize and encourage young APWA members who have demonstrated an initial commitment to the profession and the association and show potential for future growth within the association. The award promotes the concept that length of career does not necessarily indicate leadership abilities or potential for service.

Eligibility

Candidates must be members of APWA in good standing for five consecutive years and not exceed 35 years of age as of the deadline of the award submittal. Please include candidate’s birth date in nomination materials. The candidates must have demonstrated an ability and eagerness to act at the chapter or branch level and/or national by serving on committees, as an officer, heading projects, participating in programs, or contributing in general to the well-being of the chapter.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects one or more award winner(s).

Criteria

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process: 

• Describe significant contributions to the nominee’s employer—provide specific examples where the nominee implemented new ideas, overcame problems, controlled costs, etc. • Identify the nominee’s leadership roles—provide specific examples where the nominee helped to advance the cause of the public works profession either with leadership commitments to significant community projects, as an advocate for public works issues at the legislative level in local, state, or federal governments, or chapter leadership. Provide information on awards received 
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuing education in the public works field (i.e., related educational degree(s), attendance at workshops, seminars, or CEU credits, etc.)—provide specific examples of continuing education completed or classes led by the nominee 
• Explain the commitment to advancing sustainability—provide specific information related to the nominee’s involvement in promoting sustainability within the profession.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by a chapter, APWA entity, or individual APWA members. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

Winners will receive reimbursement for the expenses (travel, up to three nights lodging and conference registration only) and be presented with a plaque at the APWA Awards Recognition Ceremony by a Pakpour Consulting Group representative. They may also be featured in APWA Publications.

Purpose

This award recognizes achievements at the chapter level that support APWA’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives through dedicated and longstanding contributions to the chapter.

Eligibility

Individual, (public or private sector), corporate or public agency candidates must be members of APWA. An individual member candidate can be a public or private sector member. Corporate or public agency candidates must be corporate or public agency members of APWA.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners within each category of individual, corporate and public agency.

Criteria

Selection is based upon consistent contributions or activities by the individual, corporate, or public agency candidate within their respective APWA chapters resulting in the enhancement of the chapter or the effectiveness of the services provided to its membership or the community on behalf of the chapter and APWA.

• Describe the nominee’s record of consistent and committed service to a chapter—provide detailed information related to the leadership positions and contributions within the chapter
• Explain the nominee’s positive impact on the chapter—provide specific examples that resulted in enhancements or effectiveness of the chapter 
• Highlight nominee’s value to the community—provide specific examples related to the nominee’s chapter involvement that added significant value to the overall community.

Nomination Process

Candidates must be nominated by chapters. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

The Professional Manager of the Year Award in Administrative Management recognizes outstanding achievements in the area of administration within the public works field who inspires excellence, leadership, and dedication to the public good.

Eligibility

Any APWA member whose primary responsibility is the management of administrative functions in support of a public works department. Administrative Management functions may include, but not be limited to, human resources, financial/business operations, information technology, procurement, safety, and/or office management. Members of the APWA Board of Directors are not eligible during the time they serve on the Board. APWA Leadership and Management Committee members are not eligible during the time they serve on the committee.

• Career Length - Candidates with a minimum of 10 years qualifying experience may be nominated.
• Employment - Candidates may be employed in either the public or private sector; however, career service must be in the field of public works, specifically providing agency support in the administrative management field.
• Scope - Candidates must provide administrative management support and have made significant contributions in the field of public works.

Selection

The award winner is selected by the Professional Manager and Snow and Ice Award Committee.

Criteria

Candidates must address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process.

• Profession—Significant contributions to the advancement of administrative management.
• Leadership—Outstanding leadership and vision evidenced by employing progressive management techniques in the area of administrative management.
• Innovation—Employment of new and innovative ideas and technology in advancing the effectiveness of administrative management.
• Employment Achievement—Implementation of effective methods to optimize management of administrative services.
• Customer Service—Evidence of a high degree of satisfaction among customers and other stakeholders.
• Community Service—Promotion of the field of public administrative management in the community, agency, or customers served.
• Sustainability—Support the advancement of sustainable contributions in public works.

Nomination Process

Any group, individual, or governmental entity may nominate candidates. Nominations are particularly encouraged from APWA chapters and branches. Self-nominations are not accepted. Nomination of a candidate is limited to one Professional Manager of the Year Award per year. Submittal should include supporting documentation that clearly addresses the eligibility requirements and the candidate’s professional work.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The winner is presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

To recognize a team or organization for advancements made in their Asset Management (AM) System. The AM System refers to the global activities of the organization geared toward maximizing the value the community receives from infrastructure assets.

Eligibility

Anyone actively involved in the public works profession is eligible. APWA membership is not required. APWA Asset Management Committee members are not eligible during the time they serve on the committee.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winner. Only one award will be selected each year.

Criteria

Asset Management will be judged on the overall positive effect it has made on the value their community receives as a result of the agency’s AM System. Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process:

• Balanced decision-making—Describe how the agency has determined appropriate levels of service for an asset and how they balance it against risks and cost
• Strategic alignment—Describe how the agency has tied their AM policy to maximizing value and aligned it with the vision, mission, and goals of the organization
• Organizational alignment—Describe how agency staff has tied their various operations protocols, level of service analysis, program and budget development and prioritization to maximize the value the community receives from their infrastructure assets
• Accountability—Describe the community and stakeholder engagement and public reporting component the agency provides to the community regarding how well the agency is doing to maximize value from their infrastructure assets.
  

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any public agency or APWA chapter. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winner is presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

To recognize an individual, team, or organization for the development, management, and implementation of a creative idea, program, process, or system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. A management innovation is defined as a procedure such as a system, program, or process.

Eligibility

Anyone actively involved in the public works profession is eligible. APWA membership is not required.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Innovations will be judged on the overall positive effect it has made on the agency, the public, and/or the community relative to the delivery of public works services that are new and creative methods and programs. These may include, but are not limited to, materials, design, or equipment that improves efficiency, disseminates information, or educates the public and/or personnel. The innovations must be proven cost effective and sustainable. They must have been successfully implemented and demonstrate a significant advancement, rather than be the result of natural evolution of existing methods, common sense, or good practice. The innovations must be well-documented and presented in a manner that describes the deficiency and/or challenge and the results of innovation implementation.

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process:

• Describe the complexity of the innovation—provide specific information related to the challenge identified and the innovation utilized to address it
• Explain the innovation’s positive impact—provide specific information related to the long-term benefits and operational efficiencies realized to public works
• Describe the approach utilized to create the innovation—provide detailed information on the originality and approach utilized to create the management innovation
  

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any public agency or APWA chapter. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.

Purpose

To recognize an individual, team, or organization for the development, management, and implementation of a creative idea, program, process, or system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. A technical innovation involves materials, design, and equipment such as pinch valves, a carbon fiber reinforced bridge, etc.

Eligibility

Anyone actively involved in the public works profession is eligible. APWA membership is not required.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Innovations will be judged on the overall positive effect it has made on the agency, the public, and/or the community relative to the delivery of public works services that are new and creative methods and programs. These may include, but are not limited to, materials, design, or equipment that improves efficiency, disseminates information, or educates the public and/or personnel. The innovations must be proven cost effective and sustainable. They should not be the result of natural evolution of existing methods, common sense, or good practice, but rather a successful implementation that results in significant achievement. 
The innovations must be well-documented and presented in a manner that describes the deficiency and/or challenge and the results of innovation implementation.

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process:

• Describe the complexity of the innovation—provide specific information related to the challenge identified and the innovation utilized to address
• Explain the innovation’s positive impact—provide specific information related to the long-term benefits and operational efficiencies realized to public works
• Describe the approach utilized to create the innovation—provide detailed information on the originality and approach utilized to create the technical innovation.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any public agency or APWA chapter. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.