Nominations Open for ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026

Recognition of achievement continues to be a vital source of inspiration within the global tunneling and underground space community. Once again, the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) invites the industry to celebrate outstanding projects, innovations, and individuals shaping the future of underground solutions through the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026.

This year’s edition is organized in collaboration with the Portuguese Tunnelling and Underground Space Commission (CPT), which marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. The celebrations will take place in Lisbon, forming a three-day program from Nov. 4-6.

This year’s event will provide an exceptional platform for global experts, project owners, engineers, innovators, researchers and young professionals to connect, exchange knowledge and recognize excellence.

Eight Categories Celebrating Excellence Across the Tunneling Sector

Projects nominated for the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 must have completed their major civil engineering works between March 1, 2023, and April 1, 2026, as defined in the official category criteria. Find the criteria here.

1. Major Project of the Year – Over EUR 500 million
   Recognizing large-scale underground projects that demonstrate exemplary safety, innovative engineering, sustainability integration, strategic delivery, cost optimization, community engagement and outstanding value.
2. Project of the Year – EUR 100–500 million
   Celebrating high-impact infrastructure projects exhibiting exceptional design, technological advancement, construction management, environmental responsibility and stakeholder value.
3. Project of the Year – Up to EUR 100 million
   Honoring important projects of smaller scale that deliver significant social, environmental or technical benefits to communities and the wider industry.
4. Project of the Year – Rehabilitation, Upgrading & Re-purposing
   Acknowledging excellence in the improvement, modernisation or new use of existing underground structures. The focus includes innovation, sustainability, safety, value engineering, client satisfaction, public engagement and successful handling of operational constraints.
5. Technical Innovation of the Year
   Recognizing pioneering technologies, processes or engineering solutions that materially advance the state of the art in underground construction, with proven implementation during the eligibility period.
6. Product/Equipment Innovation of the Year
   Rewarding transformative products, machinery or equipment that extend industry capabilities, improve safety and efficiency, or introduce breakthrough performance based on documented full-scale results.
7. Elevated Thinking – Underground: Shaping the Future
   Celebrating visionary approaches that transcend engineering, highlighting leadership, advocacy, societal impact, environmental resilience and forward-thinking utilisation of underground space.
8. Young Tunneller of the Year
   Honoring exceptional young professionals born on or after January 1, 1989, who demonstrate strong leadership, technical excellence, commitment to advancing the industry and measurable contributions to their organization or project teams.

Nomination Process

Nominations are now open. ITA encourages project owners, contractors, engineering consultants, equipment manufacturers, research institutions and innovators from across the globe to submit their entries. The submission deadline is June 30, 2026.

A Global Stage for Underground Excellence

Winners of the ITA Tunnelling Awards gain international recognition and help set new benchmarks for creativity, sustainability and technical excellence within the industry. With the added significance of CPT’s 20-year anniversary celebrations, Lisbon 2026 is set to be a landmark edition, bringing together global expertise and highlighting the transformative role of underground solutions in building resilient, sustainable and future-ready societies.