Project Excellence Award

Submission Period: TBD

The NAWIC Project Excellence Award honors best-in-class construction projects and the firms, companies, and teams that design and build them, recognizing excellence in innovation, safety, and sustainable practices across four categories: Civil/Heavy Highway, Commercial, Institutional, and Residential.

Entrants

  • All construction firms, companies, and teams in the U.S. are encouraged to enter
  • NAWIC membership is not required
  • There is no limit to the number of projects each firm or individual may submit
  • One project per application
  • The project must be located in any of the 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., or U.S. territories
  • Substantial completion must occur between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year
  • Projects with construction-related fatalities, regardless of contractor or trade, are not eligible

Projects

  • Innovative techniques, technologies, or materials that contributed to the project’s success
  • Exemplary safety measures and protocols that protected workers throughout construction
  • Sustainable practices that benefit the environment and elevate industry standards
  • Strong budget management while maintaining project quality and objectives
  • Entries are accepted across four categories: Civil/Heavy Highway, Commercial, Institutional, and Residential

Fees

  • Entry fee: $359 per project submission
  • All entry fees are non-refundable
  • Applications are not considered complete until payment has been received

Deadline

  • 2026 submissions deadline: June 17th
  • All materials must be submitted via Sessionboard. Submissions sent via email, phone, shared drive, fax, or post will not be accepted
  • Deadline extensions and exceptions will not be granted

Review Process

  • All eligible entries are evaluated by an independent panel of industry professionals
  • Jurors review submissions independently before convening to discuss and select recipients
  • Entries are judged on innovation, safety, budget/value, sustainable practices, and notable features
  • Contact from applicants or their supporters to jurors is strictly prohibited

Recognition

Award recipients will be announced and honored at NAWIC’s Annual Conference. Recipients will receive additional details with their selection notification.

2026 Winners

Civil/Heavy Highway
Winner: James Construction Group
Project: SH 195

Institutional
Winner: Ahtna Global, LLC
Project: Native Village of Chitina Multipurpose Building

Commercial
Winner: Nabholz
Project: Nabholz Oklahoma City

Commercial
Winner: Turner Construction Company
Project: Resources Building Renovation

Residential

Winner: Swinerton Builders

2025 Winners

Civil/Heavy Highway
Winner: Dunn Construction Company
Project: US Highway 31

Institutional
Winner: Nabholz Corporation
Project: Encompass Healthcare Rehabilitation Hospital Addition

Commercial
Winner: Barton Malow Company
Project: BlueOval SK Battery Park Kentucky GE2

2024 Winners

Civil/Heavy Highway
Winner: Knik Construction
Project: Northern Region Western Coastal Storm Repairs Front Street & Nome Council Highway

Commercial
Winner: Layton Construction Company
Project: Wai Kai Waterfront Recreation Facility

Institutional
Winner: Ahtna Environmental Inc.
Project: EPA Western Ecology Division Laboratory Modernization Renovations

Residential
Winner: Big D Construction
Project: Post District Mixed-Use Development

President’s Choice: Education
Winner: Big D Construction
Project: Salt Lake Community College + University of Utah Juniper Academic Building

2026 Project Excellence Award Winners

Civil/Heavy Highway

James Construction Group

Institutional 

Ahtna Global, LLC

Residential

Swinerton Builders 

Commercial

Turner Construction Company

Commercial

Nabholz

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