Special Awards
2026-2027 Special Awards
Special Awards are an optional benefit all registered competition teams can take advantage of. Each award is sponsored by an organization and answers to Special Award-specific questions are judged virtually by those organizations. Each Special Award winner receives $1,000 for their team, announced at the Future City Finals.
Submission Deadline: January 6, 2027
How it works
Step 1
Find the submission form in Resources
Step 2
Submit completed form via Submissions in your Dashboard
Step 3
Sponsor Judges virtually evaluate each submission for their award
Step 4
Winners announced at Finals
2026-2027 Special Awards
Outstanding Future City Project Plan
Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF)
Teams should be able to explain how they followed the project cycle when designing their Future City. They should be able to clearly communicate their activities in each stage of the project cycle, including how they created their project schedule, assigned responsibilities, and monitored and controlled their work.
NCEES Professional Licensure Award
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
The design that employs the best engineering practices, taking into consideration the high standards used by professional engineers to help protect the public’s safety and welfare.
Best Green Future City
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
In recognition of a student team that demonstrates dynamic use of engineering concepts that promote sustainability through community, conservation, and circular economy.
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
American Nuclear Society (ANS)
Outstanding City Essay
DiscoverE
This award is given to the team with the overall highest City Essay score as judged by the Virtual Qualification Round Judges.
Outstanding City Model
DiscoverE
This award is given to the team with the overall highest City Model score as judged by the Virtual Qualification Round Judges.
People's Choice Award
DiscoverE
This award is given to the team that is voted by the general public to have the best model.