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Prizes and awards

The object of the institution, as defined in its royal charter, is:

'...to advance the science and art of civil engineering surveying in all aspects of the specialisations of geospatial engineering and commercial management within civil engineering for the benefit of the public, in particular but not exclusively by upholding and advancing the standards of education, competence, practice and conduct of members of the institution.'

CICES recognises significant contributions in promoting this objective with numerous prizes and awards, detailed below.

Nominations open

Robin Jones Awards (closing date 31 March 2024)

Commercial Management Award 2024 (closind date 30 June 2024)


The Institution Medal

The Institution Medal is awarded to a person recognised by the industry as having made an important contribution over many years to promoting the profession of civil engineering surveying through education, training and practice, or by introducing and developing new innovative techniques and methods of working.

This is the highest honour bestowed by the institution and is only awarded when an individual has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

A working group appointed by the president will identify and assess suitable candidates.

The final decision as to whether the award is made and to whom rests with the president.

The award comprises a medal and two tickets to the Institution Dinner (plus accommodation).

The President’s Medal

The President’s Medal can be awarded annually to a member whose contribution and dedication to institution affairs, over a considerable period of time, has been a significant factor in furthering the institution’s objective and enhancing its reputation within the industry and to the wider public.

A working group appointed by the president will identify and assess suitable candidates, with the final decision as to whether the award is made and to whom resting with the president.

The award comprises a medal and two tickets to the Institution Dinner (plus accommodation).

The Richard Carter Prize

The Richard Carter Prize is awarded biennially to a geospatial engineer who is judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the civil engineering surveying industry, either individually or through team leadership.

This award is designed to encourage applicants from all backgrounds and is not restricted solely to members of CICES.

The award is judged by the Geospatial Engineering Practices Committee and comprises a certificate, £500 and two tickets to the Institution Dinner (plus accommodation).

The Commercial Management Award

The Commercial Management Award is presented biennially to a commercial manager who is judged to have made an important contribution to the civil engineering surveying industry, either individually or through team leadership.

This award is designed to encourage applicants from all backgrounds and is not restricted solely to members of CICES.

It is judged by the Commercial Management Practices Committee and comprises a certificate, £500 and two tickets to the Institution Dinner (plus accommodation).

The Bert Palmer Memorial Award

The Bert Palmer Memorial Award is made to a member under 35 years old who has demonstrated excellence in the form of depth or breadth of technical knowledge, or made an outstanding personal contribution to promoting the profession.

The award comprises a certificate and £500.

Approved Development Schemes Awards

Two ADS Awards are made annually recognising companies who run Approved Development Schemes.

The awards are split into large and small categories and recognise support to trainees; membership upgrades; mentoring; innovation; commitment to bringing new people in to CICES; and impact over the previous 12 months.

The awards are assessed by the Education, Professional Development and Membership Committee, with support from the Development Officer and comprise a certificate.

CICES Publishing Awards

Two CICES Publishing Awards are made annually in the commercial management and geospatial engineering categories.

The awards cover articles published in Civil Engineering Surveyor, the Construction Law Review and Geospatial Engineering and are assessed by the Geospatial Engineering Practices Committee and Commercial Management Practices Committee, with support from the Editor.

The awards comprise a certificate and £250.

CICES Publishing Award - New Professional

The CICES Publishing Award - New Professional recognises an individual in the early stages of their career, who has written an article addressing a set question.

It is assessed by the Geospatial Engineering Practices Committee or Commercial Management Practices Committee, with support from the Editor.

The award comprises a certificate, £250 and the publication of the winning article in Civil Engineering Surveyor.

Robin Jones Awards

Created to recognise and support talented students, trainees or apprentices who are either studying a programme which would enable them to enter the civil engineering surveying profession OR undertaking an apprenticeship/training which will enable them to enter the civil engineering surveying profession.

Open to any CICES student member, trainee or apprentice studying in full or part time education to become a civil engineering surveyor via any of the CICES accredited colleges/universities, accredited apprenticeship schemes or Approved Development Schemes.

A candidate can be nominated by a lecturer or employer, or can self-nominate with the support of a lecturer or employer.

Robin Jones Award further information and application.

Student Prizes

Student Prizes recognise the work of students attending CICES accredited and approved courses.

The awards are assessed by course leaders and all accredited and approved universities and colleges are eligible to apply.

The awards comprise a certificate and £250.

Examples of student prizes are listed below.

  • University of Derby — BEng (Hons) Civil and Infrastructure Engineering with Industrial year; BSc Civil Engineering; FdEng Civil Engineering; BEng (Hons) Civil and Infrastructure Engineering with Industrial Year
  • University of East London — BSc(Hons) Surveying & Mapping Sciences; BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering Surveying; BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
  • Northumbria University — BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
  • University of Plymouth — BSc Ocean Exploration & Surveying/MSci Ocean Science
  • Royal School of Military Engineering — 1801 Military Engineer; Surveyor Engineering Class I
  • University of Salford — The Built Environment Student Prize for Civil Engineering Surveying
  • The Survey School — The TSA Surveying Course