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Submitting Projects
What are the SEE Awards?
Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) Awards recognize the most innovative and creative achievements in structural engineering. Presented annually by NCSEA, these prestigious awards honor projects that showcase ingenuity, technical skill, and groundbreaking design in the field.
Who can apply for the SEE Awards?
Entries must include the name of a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Structural Engineer (S.E.) whose practice or activity is primarily in the field of structural engineering.
Projects must have been completed by June 30 (of the award year) and within the last 10 years or must be sufficiently complete such that they clearly show the basic design of the structural system. The submittals will be judged based on the quality of the structural “design” portion of the project. Within the context of this awards program, “design” refers to the overall concept of any structure or structural system within a project. New projects, renovations, rehabilitation, structural upgrades and adaptive reuse of buildings, special use structures, and bridges are eligible. Projects may be located anywhere in the world.
Multiple entries from the same firm will be accepted, but a firm may only receive one award from each category.
Projects that have been submitted in previous years and did not win an award may be entered into the current year’s program.
When is the application deadline?
July 18, 2025
What questions are on the SEE Awards application?
You can view the application questions here. This form is for informational purposes only. Please note that we will not accept applications that are emailed in using this form. You must submit your application through Submittable using the link below.
Where can I apply for the SEE Awards?
Submit your application through Submittable: https://bit.ly/2025SEEawards
Is there an application fee?
Yes. The entry fee is $500 and must be paid online through Submittable. Firms with 20 or fewer employees are eligible for a $100 discount.
How many times can I apply?
You can apply as many times as you want. However, you may only submit a project for one category per application.
What are the categories?
Landmark Structures
- Recognizing iconic structures that redefine the built environment and stand as symbols of engineering achievement. This category honors projects of any size that demonstrate exceptional design, complexity, and impact.
Innovation in Materials
- Recognizing breakthrough design applications or advancements in any structural material that push boundaries in performance, design, or sustainability.
Sustainable Design
- Recognizing projects that exemplify environmental responsibility through energy-efficient design, material selection, future adaptability, and long-term measurable sustainability in structural engineering.
Performance Design for Resilience
- Recognizing structures that employ enhanced engineered performance for greater community resilience—they are designed for heightened performance to withstand natural disasters, climate impacts, or extreme conditions while maintaining safety and functionality.
Social Impact
- Recognizing structural engineering projects that contribute meaningfully to communities, improving quality of life and accessibility, through thoughtful design.
Residential/Single and Multi-Family Homes
- Recognizing excellence in the design of unique single and multi-family homes, including innovative structural solutions, aesthetic integration, and livability.
Bridge and Transportation
- Recognizing new roadway and pedestrian bridges and transportation-related structures that demonstrate technical innovation, durability, and contributions to infrastructure and mobility.
Forensic/Retrofit/Rehabilitation
- Recognizing exceptional work in evaluating, strengthening, or restoring existing structures, with a focus on technical skill, preservation, and creative problem-solving.
Renovation/Adaptive Reuse
- Recognizing exceptional renovation or adaptive reuse of historical structures, highlighting creative problem-solving, preservation, and innovative material use.
Non-Building Structures
- Recognizing unique structures designed for non-traditional or highly specialized purposes, where innovation, adaptability, and creativity are key.
AI in Design
- Recognizing forward-thinking applications of artificial intelligence that enhance structural design, analysis, or optimization, marking a new frontier in engineering practice.
Can I get a discount when submitting for multiple categories?
No, each submission requires its own fee.
Can a project apply if it did not win in the past?
Yes, projects that have applied in the past—but did not win—are eligible to enter this year.
Can a project apply if it’s won a SEE Award in the past?
No, previous winning projects are not eligible to enter
Judging Process & Award Notification
Who are the judges?
The selection of award recipients will be made by a distinguished Jury of Awards. There will be a minimum of 10 judges. All judges shall be structural engineers licensed as P.E.’s or S.E.’s.
What are the judging criteria?
- Complexity of criteria or unique problems relative to the specific category (25%)
- Creativity of structural design relative to the specific category (25%)
- Innovative application of new or existing materials or techniques (25%)
- Ingenuity of design for constructability challenges and efficient use of materials or labor (25%)
I sent wrong information on my application; how can I get it updated/changed?
Please contact ncsea@ncsea.com to request your application to be reopened for edits. Please note that once the application period has closed, we can no longer accept changes to your application.
When will I be notified of my application status?
We will notify applicants of their submittal’s status in mid to late August.
Winner Information
When are awards presented?
The awards will be presented to the winners at the SEE Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Midtown in New York City, NY.
Winners will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the SEE Awards Celebration. You may purchase additional tickets for guests here.
What is expected of winners?
Once the judging is complete, the winners of the top projects in each category will be required to provide NCSEA with the following items:
- Content for NCSEA to produce posters for each project, including copy and photos.
- Credits that must be noted for all photographs.
- Video recorded message about their project, coordinated with NCSEA staff and videographer.
- Names of people who will represent the project at the awards event.
- Project winners will be invited to speak at the Awards Webinar Series in the following year.