National Project Awards 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria apply to the PMI National Project Awards 2026:

  1. Project Type and Industry:
  • Projects can be from any industry and of any type.
  • All projects and submitting organisations must be in good standing, to be considered for an award.
  1. Geographical Requirements:
  • Projects must be largely completed in or managed from Ireland.
  • Project Professionals and Changemakers must demonstrate significant contribution in Ireland or for an Irish entity.
  1. Project Management Standards:
  • Projects must showcase exemplary project management principles and techniques.
  1. Completion Timeline:
    • Projects must be completed within the last two years, specifically between September 2024 and August 2026. (With exception of the Special Categories)
    • For the PMO of the Year Award, the assessment period extends to the last three years, from September 2023 to August 2026.
    • For the Project Professional of the Year Award and the Under 35 Changemakers Award, all nominee’s career contribution will be assessed.
    • AI & The Future of Work Excellence Award (PwC Sponsored) : Projects must be completed within the last two years, specifically between September 2024 and August 2026.
  1. Origin of Applications and Nominations:
  • Applications and nominations for the project award can be submitted by various parties:
    • Within the Project Team: Members of the project team can nominate their own project.
    • Project Organisation's Management: Senior management or executives from the organisation overseeing the project can submit nominations.
    • Colleagues: Other colleagues who are not part of the project team but are familiar with the project's achievements can nominate the project.
    • Team Members: Individual members of the project team can nominate the project.
    • Customers: Clients or customers who have benefited from the project can also submit nominations.
  • For Project Professional of the Year Award self-nominations are also accepted.
  1. Acknowledgment of Shortlisted and Winning Projects:
  • If a project is shortlisted or wins an Award, the acknowledgment is given to the organisation that owns the project.
  • The organisation that owns the project is the party that formally accepts the award.

This process ensures a broad range of perspectives for recognising outstanding projects and ensures that the owning organisation receives the recognition for the project's success.

  1. Award Categories Limitation:
  • The same project can apply for a maximum of two awards.
  • If a project is shortlisted for more than one category, it will remain in the category where it ranks higher (1st, 2nd, 3rd… ) and will be removed from the other category.
  1. Special Category Award Applications:
  • If the number of applications for the Special Category Awards falls below the required minimum, those applications will be included in the Public or Private Category Award instead.
  • AI & The Future of Work Excellence Award: Projects must demonstrate the use of AI, automation, or digital innovation that materially impacts the future of work.
  1. Restrictions on Previous Winners:
  • Last year’s award winners cannot submit the same project, PMO, or project professional for an award this year.

 

These criteria ensure a fair and competitive process for recognising outstanding projects and professionals, promoting excellence in project management across all sectors and industries.