These awards recognise rising professionals who have shown exceptional potential, leadership and commitment to project-management excellence early in their careers — contributing meaningfully to successful delivery and organisational growth.
Each nomination may be entered once, under a single category. Cards show the distinctive criterion for each category — expand any card for the full judging breakdown.
01
Student Project of the Year
A student-led project that demonstrates excellence in planning, execution, innovation and meaningful impact within an academic, community or organisational setting.
Distinctive criterionLearning Application & InitiativeHow project-management knowledge, tools and techniques were applied in a practical context — showing initiative, professionalism, structured problem-solving and the ability to translate academic learning into meaningful outcomes.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Learning Application & Initiative
How project-management knowledge, tools and techniques were applied in a practical context — showing initiative, professionalism, structured problem-solving and the ability to translate academic learning into meaningful outcomes.
02
Start-Up Project of the Year
A project from a start-up that demonstrates agility, innovation and market impact achieved within limited resources.
Distinctive criterionEntrepreneurial Agility & Market ImpactHow entrepreneurial thinking delivered innovation, speed to market, customer traction, growth potential, adaptability or meaningful commercial and market impact.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Entrepreneurial Agility & Market Impact
How entrepreneurial thinking delivered innovation, speed to market, customer traction, growth potential, adaptability or meaningful commercial and market impact.
03
Emerging Project Manager of the Year
A rising star in project management who has demonstrated exceptional promise, leadership and impact early in their career.
Distinctive criterionGrowth Potential & Early-Career ImpactMeaningful results relative to career stage (under five years' experience), with clear potential to progress into larger, more complex delivery and leadership responsibilities.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Growth Potential & Early-Career Impact
Meaningful results relative to career stage (under five years' experience), with clear potential to progress into larger, more complex delivery and leadership responsibilities.
Before you nominate
Eligibility & supporting documents
Eligibility
Who can enterNominee must be no more than 35 years of age at the time of application. Open to projects of any type, any industry, public or private sector, from any province.
Confidentiality & fairnessAll nominations remain confidential. Active campaigning, self-promotion for candidacy and reciprocal nomination arrangements are prohibited.
One entry per categoryEach company may submit a limited number of nominations across all categories, with only one nomination per category.
Eligible submissions & periodEligible submissions include projects of any type, from any industry, and from either the public or private sector. Projects may originate from any province in South Africa. To be eligible, the project must have reached formal closure during the eligibility period, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. The Lead Nominator is not required to be affiliated with PMI.
Nominations that are incomplete, incorrectly formatted, late, or not in English will not be considered. PMI committee members, contractors, consultants and current board members may not apply or nominate. Full rules apply per the official nomination form.
Supporting documentation
Executive SummaryMax 2 pages — overview of the nominee's leadership impact and achievements.
Case StudyMax 5 pages — key initiatives, the nominee's role, challenges, solutions, and benefits realised.
Measurable Results (where applicable)KPIs (financial, operational, digital), ROI / cost savings / revenue impact, and performance improvements.
Supporting Documentation2–3 letters of recommendation, organisational or project reports, and any media or recognition. Visual evidence strongly encouraged.
PMI South Africa will not reimburse any expenses incurred in preparing nomination or presentation materials. PMI reserves the right not to present an award where submissions do not sufficiently demonstrate the stated criteria.
How nominations are judged
Five core criteria
Every category in this award is evaluated against the five core criteria below, plus one distinctive criterion specific to each category.
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
13 September 2026 · DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Nominations close 22 July 2026
Ready to put a name forward?
Submit your nomination for the Emerging Leaders Awards and help us celebrate the people and projects shaping the profession.
