In collaboration with the Portuguese Tunnelling and Underground Space Commission (CPT)Recognition of achievement continues to be a vital source of inspiration within the globaltunnelling and underground space community. This year’s edition is organised 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 programme from Wednesday, 4 November to Friday, 6 November.

Calling Nominations for the
ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026
In collaboration with the Portuguese Tunnelling and Underground Space Commission (CPT)
Recognition of achievement continues to be a vital source of inspiration within the global
tunnelling 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 organised 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 programme from Wednesday, 4
November to Friday, 6 November.
This year’s event events will provide an exceptional platform for global experts, project
owners, engineers, innovators, researchers and young professionals to connect, exchange
knowledge and recognise excellence.
Eight Categories Celebrating Excellence Across the Tunnelling Sector
Projects nominated for the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 must have completed their major
civil engineering works between 1 March 2023 and 1 April 2026, as defined in the official
category criteria. Find the criteria here!

1. Major Project of the Year – Over EUR 500 million
   Recognising large-scale underground projects that demonstrate exemplary safety, innovative
   engineering, sustainability integration, strategic delivery, cost optimisation, 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
   Honouring 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
   Recognising 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
   Honouring exceptional young professionals born on or after 1 January 1989, who
   demonstrate strong leadership, technical excellence, commitment to advancing the industry
   and measurable contributions to their organisation 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 will be 30th June 2026.
   Further information, category descriptions and the online entry form may be found at:
   
9. https://awards.ita-aites.org/
   
10. 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.
    For more details contact awards@ita-aites.org