IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Technology for the Benefit of Humanity // Villanova University, USA / October 23-26, 2024

Annual Humanitarian Engineering Project Award

Annual IEEE Region 6 Humanitarian Engineering Project Award

General information

The annual IEEE R6 Humanitarian Engineering Project Award recognizes outstanding humanitarian engineering projects completed within the past 12 months from the deadline of submission. The award winner will be announced at the annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference. The award winner will receive a $500 honorarium, and some financial assistance to attend GHTC.

Entries may be submitted by individual IEEE members or collaborative groups with at least one IEEE member in the team from Region 6. IEEE student branches are especially encouraged to submit award application for their completed projects. Submission deadline for 2016 is July 1, 2016.

Judging criteria

  1. Originality and innovation: new or innovative application of technology, design, materials, processes/methods.
  2. Resourcefulness in planning and solving humanitarian problems: complexity of the problem and creativity in solutions.
  3. Community impacts: impacts on the local community and participation by local community members.
  4. Sustainability considerations: environmental, social and economic.
  5. Scalability: Potential for growth to serve more people in the same region or replication in other locations.
  6. Project planning and delivery: financing, budget, and schedule.

Entry format and preparation guidelines

Download the entry form here. All entries should be submitted as a single PDF file, containing the required elements specified below, and emailed to HEawards@ieee.org. Each submission should contain the following in this order:

  • Completed entry form.
  • Brief description of the project, not to exceed 250 words.
  • Summary describing how the project meets the judging criteria, not to exceed 1,000 words.
  • Summary describing any technology used in the project and any lessons learned.
  • 6 to 10 color photographs of the projects including some with participants.
  • Attachments such as articles or video links from local papers and news sources, and/or written/audio/video statements from the community describing how the project has impacted their lives, if available. Affidavits should also be accompanied with these submitted statements/videos/photos, authorizing their use for future project publicity.

Entries must address each judging criterion and should identify unique aspects of the project. Present most technical information in lay terms as jury members may have diverse backgrounds.