KIVI EngD Award

The KIVI EngD Award

Why this award?

The KIVI EngD Award recognises the outstanding achievements of EngD graduates who combine scientific rigour with tangible impact in practice. The finalists for this award have demonstrated excellence in applying advanced technical knowledge to solve complex industrial and societal challenges.

Entries are assessed by an independent jury comprising representatives from academia, industry and society. The assessment is based on the following criteria:

Innovation – the development of creative and practical solutions that push the boundaries of technology.
Impact – demonstrable contributions to industry, science and/or society.
Leadership & collaboration – fostering collaboration, professionalism and knowledge-sharing across disciplines.

By recognising these qualities, the award not only highlights individual excellence but also raises the profile of the EngD programme’s unique contribution to the Dutch innovation ecosystem.

Benefits of taking part

The candidates embody what it means to be a Professional Doctorate Engineer: bridging the gap between academia and industry, and delivering demonstrable value through technical excellence.

By taking part in this competition, you will benefit from the following advantages:

You will have the opportunity to showcase yourself within a relevant and diverse professional network.
You will receive a free one-year KIVI membership if you enter as a candidate and attend the Award Ceremony.
You’ll receive additional publicity if you win the award, including through an interview in *De Ingenieur* and various communication channels, which will help you further strengthen your career as a Professional Doctorate Engineer.
You stand a chance of winning a prestigious work of art and a cash prize.

Save the date

The EngD Award Ceremony will take place on 3 December 2026 from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. The day will feature inspiring sessions, valuable networking opportunities and, of course, the award ceremony itself.

Be sure to mark this date in your diary!

Save the date

Award Ceremony

The next edition of the festive Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday afternoon, 3 December 2026, at KIVI’s head office: Prinsessegracht 23 in The Hague (easily accessible by public transport).

Please ensure you are available on this date when you register for the competition.

Take part in the ceremony

EngD – Doctorate in Engineering

An EngD programme is intended for graduates with a master’s degree. The main difference between this and a PhD lies in the focus: a PhD aims to train students to become independent researchers, whilst an EngD prepares students for a highly qualified role within industry.

PhD programmes typically last four years, whilst EngD programmes last two years.

All EngD programmes form part of the joint 4TU.SAI initiative (4TU.School for Technological Design, Stan Ackermans Institute). This institute is a collaboration between the four technical universities in the Netherlands. Wageningen University and the University of Groningen have also recently joined the initiative.

In the Netherlands, there are now approximately 4,000 to 5,000 alumni since the EngD programme began some 40 years ago. Currently, around 500 to 600 students are enrolled on an EngD programme, spread across the various programmes throughout the Netherlands.

More about 4TU.SAI+

KIVI – Engineering Society

The association for engineers in all disciplines and at all stages of their careers.

We are committed to supporting engineers in their professional development and recognising the value of their work. We help engineers connect with research, education, society and with one another within the KIVI community.

In addition, we help to ensure the quality of education and research, and we harness the knowledge and expertise of engineers to address societal challenges and highlight the impact of technology on society.

To achieve these goals, we collaborate with the engineering industry, research institutions, higher education, the government and international partners.

More about KIVI