Nomination Deadline: March 1st

The purpose of this award is to recognize projects that have demonstrated design and/or construction excellence in the area of coastal, oceans, ports and harbors, or rivers. The governing criteria for award selection emphasizes design excellence and innovation.

Projects should demonstrate significant achievement through design or construction concepts, use of new or existing analytical techniques, use of new or existing technology, adaptive re-use of existing features or infrastructure, or methods to minimize environmental impacts within the affected region or area.

Recent winners

2022

View all winners

Purpose

The Project Excellence Award was established by the COPRI Governing Board in 2008, and is intended to give professionals who practice in these areas the opportunity to showcase their projects to the COPRI community.

The Project Excellence Award recognizes significant achievement through:

  • Design or construction concepts
  • Use of new or existing analytical techniques or technology
  • Adaptive reuse of existing features or infrastructure
  • Methods or innovations that minimize environmental impacts

Rules

Any project that meets the requirements for the Coasts, Oceans, Ports, & Rivers Institute Project Excellence Award may be submitted for consideration. The following will be the minimum requirements:

  1. The project required a design solution directly related to the practice areas of coastal, ocean, port & harbor, or river engineering
  2. The construction of the project was completed within 3 years of the year for which the application is submitted
  3. A letter of recommendation from the owner, client, or end-user is provided with the application. The award nomination does not need to be made by the owner, client or end-user.
  4. The award application is completed in its entirety.
  5. The award application is submitted for consideration in accordance with the advertised award schedule.

Applications

Applications should be submitted electronically to COPRI Project Excellence Committee at [email protected]

To apply, submit the following:

  • The application will be limited to a total page count of 20 pages (font no smaller than Times Roman 11) with a maximum of 5 pages of narrative and 15 pages of photographic or illustrative depictions of the project.
  • A letter of recommendation from the owner, client, or end-user for the completed project is required.

Download application form (PDF)

The application will be written in English and submitted on the official nomination form. Text should be clear and concise and consist of information necessary for judging the suitability of each project against the award criteria.

Photographic, illustrative, and audio-visual presentations of the project are acceptable but not required for judging of the application. Audio-visual representations should not exceed 10 minutes.

All materials submitted become the property of COPRI and may be publicly distributed. All entrants agree to provide any information, upon request, to be used by the press or in promotion of the award.

Award Judging

The award judging committee will be comprised of individuals who are experienced with design, construction, and regulation within the COPRI disciplines.

The COPRI Governing Board will appoint committee members with the following disciplines or areas of expertise represented: design and/or planning; construction; academia; government agencies directly responsible for the design, administration, and/or regulation of coast, oceans, ports, or rivers facilities; and other individuals who represent the interests of the public within the COPRI disciplines.

Each application will be judged and scored according to a numerical format. The scoring will be based on the following areas:

  1. Design methodology with emphasis on use of new or innovative technology;
  2. Design of a system or component that fits within a complete system representing resilience, robustness, and redundancy;
  3. Analytical techniques or methodologies with emphasis on use of new or innovative technology;
  4. Construction methodology with emphasis on use of new or innovative technology;
  5. Creative or adaptive re-use of existing features or infra-structure;
  6. Satisfying the stated project goals and/or revised project goals if changed during the course of design or construction;
  7. Employing design or construction techniques that minimize impacts on the surrounding environmental region or area; and
  8. Enhancements to the environment resulting from the implementation of the project.