Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize) (£500,000 Prize)

The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize) nominations are open for 2026. QEPrize recognizes groundbreaking engineering innovations that have a global impact. This prestigious international award celebrates individuals or teams of up to 10 members who have made significant contributions to engineering, benefiting humanity on a worldwide scale.

As the world’s foremost engineering recognition, the annual £500,000 prize honors excellence in engineering and acknowledges visionary engineers. It aims to inspire future generations of engineers and encourages them to challenge the limits of what is achievable.

Launched in 2013 and presented by Her Majesty The Queen, the QEPrize is merit-based and open to engineers from diverse backgrounds, without restriction to academic or professional affiliations. This inclusivity makes it a truly global recognition.

Administered by the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation, the award emphasizes the real-world impact of engineering innovations in improving lives worldwide. It does not support formal education or academic programs but focuses on practical, transformative engineering achievements.

Past recipients include pioneers such as Robert Kahn, Vinton Cerf, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee for their work on the Internet and World Wide Web, Dr. Robert Langer for drug delivery systems, and Dr. Bradford Parkinson for GPS technology. Recent winners have advanced fields such as LED lighting, solar power, and modern machine learning.

The corporate sponsors, including BAE Systems, BP, GlaxoSmithKline, Hitachi, and others, are funding the QEPrize.

Key Details and Dates

Scholarship Name: Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize)
Organizer: The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation
Field of Study: Engineering
Funding Type: Award/Prize
Application Deadline: 27 June 2025
Referees Supporting Statements Deadline: 9 August 2025
Winner Announcement:4 February 2026
Eligible Countries: All countries
Eligible Gender: All genders
Target Group: Individuals or teams of up to 10 engineers
Focus Area: Groundbreaking innovation in engineering with global benefit
Number of Opportunity: One award per cycle
Medium of Instruction: English

QEPrizes Details

The winning individual or team will receive:

A monetary prize of GBP 500,000
Recognition through a prestigious international platform
Commemorative memorabilia decided by the Trustees
Media exposure and public speaking opportunities
Inclusion in the QEPrize network of laureates and engineering leaders

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize)?

Open to any living individual or up to 10 individuals working as a team
Open to all nationalities
Must be responsible for a groundbreaking engineering innovation with proven global benefit
Self-nominations and posthumous nominations are not allowed
At least two referees who are experts in the field must support the nominees

Selection Process

The selection procedure follows these key steps:

The Judging Panel will review and shortlist the nominated candidates.
The QEPirize Trustees will make the final decision based on the Panel’s recommendations.
All nominees and nominators acknowledge that the trustees’ decisions are final.
Trustees have full discretion in both shortlisting and final selection.
The Trustees will not provide any feedback or correspondence regarding the decisions.

Nominators should also consider the following questions when submitting a nomination:

Is the innovation globally impactful?
Can you identify up to 10 key engineers involved?
Do you have sufficient information to support the nomination?
Can you provide three knowledgeable referees?

How to Nominate?

To nominate for the prize, please follow these steps:

Complete the Nomination Form: Submit the online form on the QEPrize website detailing the innovation and identifying the engineer(link below).
Provide Referee Information: Include three expert referees (excluding collaborators or family) to support the nomination.
Submit Two Letters of Support: Obtain two letters from qualified individuals who can evaluate the nominee’s impact and innovation.
Submit Limited Information (If Necessary): If full details are not available, provide whatever information you can. The QEPrize team may follow up for further details.

Additional Notes:

To request a paper form, write to QEPrize Nominations, Prince Philip House, London SW1Y 5DG.
All submissions should be in English, adhere to word limits, and provide accurate information.
Nominations that violate third-party rights may be disqualified.
Previous entries can be updated and resubmitted for up to two additional cycles.

Official Website

Further details and information are available on the official Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Website.