We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to guide you with the submissions process. If you can't find the answer to a question, please email awards@soe.org.uk, and we can help you with it. Read the awards terms and conditions here. 

Do I need to be a member to enter the awards? 

Entry is open to members and non-members, except for the SOE Volunteer and SOE Region awards which are both member-nominated categories.  

We are keen to celebrate the achievements of the wider industry. As long as you qualify to enter the individual or company categories, you are welcome to enter.  

If you wish to explore membership, please get in touch with our team at membership@soe.org.uk, or join online here.  

How much is it to enter the awards? 

Entry is completely free. Please ensure you submit one entry per category. You are welcome to enter multiple categories.  

What do winners get? 

All shortlisted nominations will be invited to a gala dinner in October for an afternoon of celebration and networking accompanied by a three-course meal and drinks.  

By being shortlisted, you also gain:  

  • Recognition for your work and achievements by one of the leading professional engineering institutions   

  • Press and social media coverage across SOE’s publications including getting featured in the Transport Engineer magazine  

  • Interviews and content written about your work and contributions for wider recognition in the industry (and later added to SOE’s archives for future reference)   

  • Invitation to contribute to other SOE initiatives including speaking opportunity for CPD webinars and videos that’ll be promoted across the wider membership   

Who should enter? 

Awards are split into individual and company categories, as well as ‘direct entry’ and ‘nominated’ categories.  

Engineers from all disciplines are invited to enter our individual categories such as: 

  • Helix Award 

  • Environmental Engineer of the Year 

  • Road Transport Engineer of the Year 

  • Plant Engineer of the Year 

  • Engineer Surveyor of the Year 

  • Safety Specialist of the Year 

Engineering firms and leadership teams are invited to enter the company categories.  

  • Engineering Company of the Year 

  • Safety Innovation of the Year 

  • People Development Champion 

You can submit your entry directly using this form. 

You can nominate individuals or regions, and use the ‘nomination’ form to submit your nominations for the following categories:  

  • Future Leader (via nominations from managers) 

  • SOE Volunteer of the Year (via nominations by SOE members only) 

  • SOE region of the Year (via nominations by SOE members only) 

How do I enter the awards?  

  1. Review our categories to identify the category (s) you wish to enter 
  2. Included within each category description is the questions you need to answer  
  3. In a word document, copy and paste the questions and add your responses (make sure you adhere to the word count limits) 
  4. Proofread your responses 
  5. When you’re ready to submit, head to our ‘submissions’ page.  
  6. Once you’ve identified the right form (direct entry or nomination), choose your category and simply complete all the fields on the form.  
  7. Add supporting evidence to make your entry stand out (you can enter up to 3 supporting evidence files up to 5MB each – we welcome images, PDFs, word documents and zipped files). If you have videos, please upload them to YouTube as an ‘unlisted’ link and include in your main entry or under 'additional comments' within the form. 

What files can I enter?  

You can enter up to 3 supporting evidence files up to 5MB each. 

We welcome images, PDFs, word documents and zipped files). If you have videos, please upload them to YouTube as an ‘unlisted’ link and include in your main entry. 

I’m having trouble uploading my entry. What do I do? 

If you’re having trouble uploading your entry, please send them directly to awards@soe.org.uk. If you can also include within your email the issue you’re experiencing when uploading your entry online, we can investigate and troubleshoot the issue.  

When's the entry deadline?

Entries close at midnight on 2nd August. 

How do I get involved as a supporter or sponsor of the awards?  

If you’d like to explore sponsorship or media partnerships, please get in touch with us at awards@soe.org.uk.