The Engineering Excellence Awards recognize the best consulting engineering work in Minnesota. ACEC Minnesota has run the program every year since 1967, and 2027 is the 60th.
Engineering does most of its work out of sight. The public sees a bridge that carries traffic and water that runs clean, while the judgment and problem-solving that produced them stay invisible. The awards put that work in front of an audience and hold it to an independent standard.
Entries are scored against criteria including uniqueness and innovative application of techniques, future value to the profession and public awareness, social and economic and sustainable development, complexity, and fulfillment of client and owner needs.
Judging runs on the substance of the engineering. A project with a modest budget and a hard problem competes on equal footing with a large one, and Category J exists so small projects are not measured against $150 million ones.
| Aug 17, 2026 | Entries open |
| Sep 14, 2026 | Virtual information session. Recording posted afterward. |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Preliminary entry due |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Final entry and entry fee both due |
| Nov 18, 2026 | Judging. Results by email the following week. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Photographic digital panel due. Required from every entrant. |
| Jan 6, 2027 | National submissions close for advancing firms |
| Feb 18, 2027 | 60th Engineering Excellence Awards Gala McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota |
| Apr 20, 2027 | National EEA Gala, Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC |
Questions? Contact us at eea@acecmn.org.