About
The SCSI’s Surveying Excellence Awards highlight and recognise the significant contribution of surveying professionals to every stage of the life cycle of buildings. Working across the land, construction and property sectors, SCSI members either individually or collaboratively work to improve the natural and built environment.
The Surveying Excellence Awards are a marker of the highest industry standards and best practices and celebrate surveyors’ excellence, continued learning, sustainable innovations, and embracing technology to enhance the built environment.
Enter to win
Award Categories
Eligibility & Submission Details
Submission Closing date: 5pm on Thursday, 24th October
Shortlist announced: 5th November
Awards Presentation: 20th November at The National Conference
Individual Recognition Awards category (Sustainable Champion Award, Elevate Award, or Young Surveyor of the Year Award) can be made by the individual. Members can nominate another member, but that member’s nomination will not be complete until they themselves have completed the full submission form.
To be eligible, the nominee must be a full SCSI member (Associate, Professional and Fellow).
Organisation and Team Recognition Awards can be made by any full SCSI member (Associate, Professional and Fellow) involved in the nominated entry. Please include all full SCSI members (Associates, Professionals and Fellows) involved in the Project Overview.
Academic (Dissertation) Awards
- Undergraduate Dissertation Award – at least a student member or higher grade, and the dissertation was completed as part of a SCSI Accredited Programme.
- Postgraduate Dissertation Award – at least a trainee member or higher (Associate, Professional or Fellow) grade in a relevant postgraduate degree programme (Masters’ or PhD).
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution is not a nominated award but a recognition by the SCSI of the contributions of a SCSI member. Please do not contact the President to canvass for yourself for the Award.
We very much encourage members to nominate other members who have demonstrated excellence in their work and leadership.
Simply click to nominate another member and enter their name, email and short explanation for why they are deserving of the award.
The member you have nominated will then receive an email notifying them and inviting them to complete the full nomination form to complete their entry.
Nominations from all backgrounds – Private, Public, Charity/Non-Profit, Academia, sole traders and larger firms – applying their surveyor skills are encouraged. The awards celebrate the diversity of members’ roles, so we hope you’ll consider entering your organisation.
Nominations must be submitted for the 2024 Awards between 2nd July and the 24th October 2024.
For each award entry, you must add a “Brief Summary of Your Entry”, and this text will be used by the SCSI when announcing the shortlist or other promotional information about the Awards.
No commercially sensitive information in the submission will be shared outside the Judging Panel.
You must sign into your account and complete the online application form to submit.
You can save and revisit your entry.
If you have any issues or need to correct an entry previously made after submitting, please email awards@scsi.ie
The Judging Criteria are provided for each Award and linked to the particular questions to guide responses.
The Judging Panel reserves the right to verify information and claims made in an application involving commercial data shared. This would include contacting the applicant first.
All material received will be treated confidentially and only shared with judges reviewing that category.
Canvassing of a Judge or member of the SCSI Executive team may result in disqualification from the awards. If an incident does occur, the incident will be reported to the Chair and discussed by the Judging Panel regarding what action should be taken.
The Judging Panel’s decision is final.
The Judging Panel reserve the right to split awards or withdraw an award based on the entries received.
Judging Panel:
Claire Solon (Chair)
Full judging panel to be announced.
Individual Recognition Awards
Our profession is at the heart of creating a sustainable balance between the built and natural environments. The Sustainable Champion Award recognises members’ work at the forefront of harmonising the profession’s dual goals of human development needs and environmental obligations. Whether through education on advanced sustainable practices, cutting-edge technology or just personal unwavering commitment, we want to hear about you or your colleagues making our profession more sustainable. Such dedication to preserving our planet while enabling progress exemplifies the public value our profession should provide.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Purpose & Commitment – What accomplishment has made the entrant proud of their work to drive sustainable practice in surveying (300 words)*
- Impact & Engagement – What is the single most significant impact that the entrants’ work has had on sustainability (300 words)*
- [Optional] Attach supporting material to your entry if referenced above.
Judging criteria:
- Purpose. The alignment of activities towards a meaningful goal (e.g., link to a UN Sustainable Development Goal or SCSI Sustainability Report objective).
- Engagement. The engagement of your team, colleagues, clients, community, etc.
- Commitment. The commitment demonstrated by the individual. The structure or systems that will ensure commitment beyond the individual’s direct engagement.
- Impact. The impact of your work on addressing gender diversity and inclusion in surveying. The applicability of your approach by others to replicate in their professional life.
The Elevate Award celebrates the individuals who have made remarkable strides in promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the surveying profession. It seeks to recognise the champions of change who have, through their work, fostered an environment where women can thrive, lead, and excel in the surveying profession. We encourage you to recognise yourself or nominate a trailblazer who has helped elevate the surveying profession through their work in female participation and leadership.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Champion & Support – Please explain the entrant’s role in supporting female participation or leadership in surveying (max 500 words)*
- Commitment & Impact – What single accomplishment has made the entrant the most proud of their work to drive female participation/leadership in surveying (250 words)*
- [Optional] Attach supporting material to your entry if referenced above.
Judging criteria:
- Champion. They are recognised for their work highlighting the contributions that gender diversity and inclusion brought to the organisation/profession.
- Support. The support provided directly or through programmes that you developed. E.g. changes to policies or culture that you sought to change in your organisation or elsewhere.
- Commitment. The commitment demonstrated by the individual either across multiple activities or in a concerted effort to improve female participation or leadership in the future.
- Impact. The impact of your work on addressing the sustainability agenda. The applicability of your approach by others to replicate in their professional life. Measurability of impact.
The SCSI Young Surveyor of the Year award recognises those young members with remarkable dedication, potential and drive to improve the profession. If you or a colleague have become a Chartered or Associate member of the SCSI in the past five years with a passion for the career (but no longer than 10-years working in the industry), we encourage you to apply or nominate them. The Young Surveyor of the Year is an outstanding role model who practices to the highest standards of professionalism and advocates for the profession.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Inspire & Inquisitive – Please share the entrant’s surveying journey with the judges (max 500 words)*
- Dedication & Drive – How has the entrant’s entry to the profession become an asset to their organisation, client or the SCSI (200 words)*
- Dedication & Inspire – Outline any activities the entrant has undertaken to support and encourage other future surveyors (200 words)
- [Optional] Attach supporting material to your entry if referenced above.
Judging criteria:
- Inspire. From inspirational stories of routes into the profession – to inspiring the next generation of students to try out the profession. Tell us your story.
- Inquisitive. Professional qualifications don’t signal the end of a learning journey but a career-long commitment. The members who ask questions and share their answers with the professional community help to advance it.
- Dedication. Demonstrating the upholding of the standards and ethics of the profession while serving clients, colleagues and the public.
- Drive. The achievement of challenging work, community or society projects despite the obstacles.
Organisation and Team Recognition Awards
The SCSI Community Development Award pays tribute to the remarkable initiatives that SCSI members – from sole traders to large organisations – undertake for the greater good of Irish communities and Global society. By prioritising ESG issues collectively, the SCSI members demonstrate that our profession is not purely business-focused but also concerned about people, communities and the environment. The SCSI looks forward to sharing the inspiring efforts of members who have strengthened the bonds between their teams to leave a lasting positive impact. Whether you’ve championed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) endeavours, fostered meaningful community partnerships (e.g. youth initiatives, sports club support, etc.), or led the charge in promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in your business, this Award recognises those who are committed to making our offices, communities, country, the world a better place.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Purpose, Change, Collaboration, Impact, Resources – Project Overview (1500 words max)* – This statement should give a brief overview and outline of the activities or projects that the team (including other organisations, if relevant) were involved in, which merits this Award. If more than 1500 words are submitted, the entry to judges will only show the first 1500 words.
- Purpose, Change & Impact – What is the single most significant impact that your work has had on community development (200 words)*
- [Optional] Attach testimonial or supporting material to your entry if referenced above.
Judging criteria:
- Purpose. The alignment of activities towards a meaningful goal (e.g. link to a UN Sustainable Development Goal or SCSI Sustainability Report objective, etc.).
- Change. The initiative sought to make a meaningful difference for the better. The approach or even the scale of the initiative was something we’d not seen before and represented a personal touch of the individuals involved.
- Collaboration. The initiative created a partnership in the office or wider that was beneficial to making a meaningful outcome that would not have been possible otherwise.
- Impact. When examined objectively, the initiative achieved its objectives.
- Resources. Each group’s size and resources might differ, and the judges will consider this to balance entries or sub-divide this category by size.
The SCSI Best Integrated Approach to a Project award recognises how the seamless collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team with experience across the built environment life cycle creates excellent outcomes for clients and end users. Such projects harness the collective intelligence and expertise of diverse teams of SCSI members, resulting in the flawless delivery of projects that transcend and meet the needs not just of today but for the future.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Value, Sustainability, Innovate, Standards – Project Overview (1500 words max)* – This statement should give a brief overview and outline of the activities or projects that the team (including other organisations, if relevant) were involved in, which merits this Award. If more than 1500 words are submitted, the entry to judges will only show the first 1500 words.
- Sustainability & Standards – The value and impact of the entry’s integrated approach has other meaningful goals (e.g. link to a UN Sustainable Development Goal or SCSI Sustainability Report objective, etc.), which have benefitted the client, community or society. (200 words)*
- Value & Innovate – List the benefits to your organisation(s) arising from the activities covered in this submission (200 words)* – Give a brief overview of benefits to your organisation. Where possible, include key performance factors and why they were significant.
Judging criteria:
- Value. Projects demonstrate a clear understanding of the complex interplay from the business case, site location, design, sustainability, social, economic, and more – utilising different member expertise to deliver the best client outcomes.
- Sustainability. Demonstrate the embeddedness of sustainability in your entry relative to the built environment and highlight any verifiable outcomes, particularly life cycle assessment.
- Innovate. Show your vision in the use of alternative materials and construction techniques.
- Standards. Implementation of industry standards and best practices across the multi-disciplinary team.
The Innovation Award recognises technical or process innovation by a firm or sole trader that has brought innovative approach concepts, techniques and knowledge related to digital innovation issues. The Award honours those firms who have successfully implemented creative and result-oriented initiatives that improve operations and overall client outcomes. It doesn’t need to be ‘Proptech’ or MMC to qualify; we are looking for any innovation that has helped to transform your professional challenges into opportunities by using technology or just a fresh perspective to create ingenious solutions to address any barriers facing our profession.
How to enter:
- Brief Summary of Your Entry (max 75 words)*
- Innovation, Integrity, Value, Impact, Resources – Project Overview (1500 words max)* – This statement should give a brief overview and outline of the activities or projects that the team (including other organisations, if relevant) were involved in, which merits this Award. If more than 1500 words are submitted, the entry to judges will only include the first 1500 words.
- Value & Impact – In addition to the business rationale, has the innovation also addressed another meaningful goal (e.g. link to a UN Sustainable Development Goal or SCSI Sustainability Report objective, etc.) that has made it more valuable than the purely financial benefits to the organisation or team. (200 words)*
- [Optional] Attach supporting material to your entry if referenced above.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation. The organisation or team saw an opportunity for change and adopted a new technology or process to make a difference. They have implemented it so that the team maximised its use.
- Integrity. The hurdle for innovation within the profession is how it works with the professionals to ensure that clients and the public receive the same or better service.
- Value. The value in terms of savings of time or improvement in service to clients – does it solve a problem that SCSI members in the organisation had?
- Impact. Measurable impact of the innovation on critical metrics that it sought to address.
- Resources. Each group’s size and resources might differ, and the judges will consider this to balance entries.
Academic & Volunteer Contribution Awards
The SCSI Undergraduate Dissertation Competition exists to display the research capabilities of students studying on an SCSI-accredited undergraduate property, land and construction degree programmes.
Requirements for Entrants:
- Entrants must be students studying on an SCSI-accredited bachelor’s degree programme. The following categories of undergraduate students are eligible to submit entries:
- Final year undergraduate students (including full and part-time students, mature students and those who have previously obtained a degree) during the current academic year.
- Submitted dissertations must have obtained a minimum grade of 60%. Students must submit documentation confirming this result to meet the submission criteria.
- Upload a copy of the final degree results from the awarding academic institution, including the dissertation module result.
- Entrants must be student members of the SCSI.
How to enter:
- All criteria – Outline of dissertation description
- Confirm the academic institution & programme name
- All criteria – Submit a copy of your final degree results, including dissertation module results and award classification.
- Submissions must be the entrant’s work and not be taken from the work of others, save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of this submission.
- All criteria –Upload the dissertation in PDF format.
Judging Criteria:
- Significance. Scope and significance of the student’s research contribution to the field of Surveying in Ireland.
- Originality. Degree of originality and level of innovation in the selection of the topic.
- Standard. Standard of execution of the student’s research
- Quality. Quality of expression and presentation of the research findings.
The SCSI Postgraduate Dissertation Award recognises built environment research that examines professional or industry challenges (e.g. sustainability, innovation, inclusion, affordability, safety, etc.). The Award highlights the valuable contribution that academic research can provide to solving the new complexities. Judges will review the submissions with a keen eye on the real-world applicability of dissertations and their focus on tangible improvements in practices or policies that would offer a roadmap towards addressing issues of professional or public interest. All SCSI members (or trainees) who have completed a Postgraduate Dissertation in the past 18 months are encouraged to apply.
Requirements for entrants:
- Entrants must be full members or trainees of the SCSI.
- Dissertation from a Masters or PhD level programme.
- The dissertation must have been submitted/completed in the past 24 months.
How to enter:
- Relevance, Originality, Quality, Impact – Dissertation Abstract (max 1000 words)
- Quality – Copy of your dissertation module result
- Relevance & Originality – Dissertation in PDF format.
- Impact – If your dissertation research has impacted a company’s or others’ activities, please tell us about those. If it hasn’t been adopted (yet), outline the potential impact as you see it. (200 words max)
Judging criteria:
- Relevance. Research question relevancy to the betterment of the industry/profession
- Originality. Novelty of research approach, from using old data in new ways to applying research methods not traditionally involved in the built environment.
- Quality. Overall quality of research and applicable research methodologies
- Impact. Applicability of findings for practitioners or policymakers.
The SCSI President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the SCSI and the wider profession. Achievement honours exceptional leaders who have significantly contributed to advancing professionals in the built environment by volunteering for various projects, reports and events. The Award is the highest honour bestowed upon an individual by SCSI.
This Award is decided solely at the discretion of the President; no application is necessary.