Who will be Engineer of the Year 2027? Nominations are now open for the Prins Friso Engineering Award. KIVI, the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers, is looking for an engineer who excels in their field, develops innovative solutions and makes a visible contribution to society.
From complex energy challenges and digitalisation to safety, mobility and sustainability, the demands on engineers continue to grow. Each year, the Prins Friso Engineering Award recognises an engineer who makes a difference through technical expertise, entrepreneurship and social commitment.
Do you know someone who fits the bill? Or are you making a difference yourself? Nominate a candidate now. The jury will assess nominees on their professional skills, innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, social impact and ability to act as an ambassador for the engineering profession.
More than just a title
The winner will serve as an ambassador for the Dutch engineering community for one year. The award not only recognises an individual engineer but also provides a platform to highlight the contribution of engineering and technology to society.
The current Engineer of the Year is Martijn Otten, who won the 2026 Prins Friso Engineering Award. Through his technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social issues, he demonstrated how engineering knowledge can be translated into practical solutions. He received the award from Her Royal Highness Princess Mabel, in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix and Countess Zaria.
Who deserves the title in 2027?
The jury is looking for an engineer who demonstrates:
- Professional skills – masters their field, understands complex challenges and translates knowledge into smart, practical solutions.
- Innovation – thinks differently, develops new solutions or applies existing technology in innovative ways.
- Entrepreneurial spirit – takes the initiative, turns ideas into practice and knows how to mobilise people and resources.
- Social impact – makes a tangible contribution to addressing societal challenges, including sustainability, health, safety, energy, mobility and digitalisation.
- Ambassadorship – represents the engineering profession convincingly and shows young people, professionals and the wider public how engineers contribute to society.
Day of the Engineer
The 2027 Prins Friso Engineering Award will be presented during the Day of the Engineer on Wednesday 10 March 2027 at Eindhoven University of Technology. The event brings together engineers from different disciplines and across the Netherlands. The 2027 edition will also mark a special occasion: KIVI is celebrating its 180th anniversary.
Nominations are open until 13 November 2026.
Also read: MARIN receives honorary Marine Engineering medal from KIVI
