Criteria

The PMI Fellow Award requires nominees to demonstrate the following three criteria/pillars.

All cited contributions should clearly provide evidence of the impact, outcomes, and results of the nominee’s efforts:

• Recognizes individuals whose leadership has advanced and influenced PMI and the project management profession on a broad scale.
• Recognizes those who have shaped the project management profession's future through thought leadership—making it easy and being welcoming to others with groundbreaking initiatives, and impactful contributions that elevate standards, practices, and overall visibility.
• Recognizes those that create an inclusive environment within the project management profession, encouraging collaboration and empowering others to contribute and thrive within the profession. Their actions propel the profession's ongoing growth, innovation, and long-term success while supporting its continuous evolution.

Excellence through Impact on the Project Management Profession

• Recognizes individuals whose commitment to excellence and the pursuit of knowledge inspires others to grow and contribute to advancing the profession.
• Recognizes individuals whose significant and lasting contributions, marked by demonstrable outcomes and transformative effects, demonstrate unwavering dedication and set a high standard of excellence.
• Recognizes individuals who, fueled by a passion for exploration, have continually aspired to greater heights and expanded the boundaries of what is possible.

Excellence in Volunteer Service Commitment to PMI

• Recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, continuous engagement, and exceptional contributions through their service to the Institute, advancing the mission, values, and goals of the project management profession.
• Recognizes individuals who embody dedication, integrity, and impact, they consistently go beyond expectations, inspiring, leading, and supporting others.
• Recognizes individuals whose leadership and actions, remind us that together we can achieve more, fostering a collaborative spirit that drives the profession forward.

Award Rules & Conditions

• PMI reserves the right not to present the award for a particular year in which the evaluations completed indicate that nominations and supporting materials did not sufficiently demonstrate the stated criteria.
• After submission, nominations are reviewed for eligibility. If a nomination or nominee is deemed ineligible, the nomination will be declined. Declined nominations cannot be revised or resubmitted during the same award season.
• Nominations that are submitted incomplete, incorrectly formatted, late, or in a language other than English will not be considered.
• Active campaigning for nominations by both nominator and nominee is prohibited to ensure fairness and impartiality in the nomination process. Examples of activities that are considered active campaigning include:
  • Soliciting nominations directly from eligible nominators.
  • Promoting oneself through social media or other platforms specifically for PMI Fellow Award candidacy.
  • Engaging in a “quid pro quo” arrangement for nominations (“I will nominate you, if you nominate me.”)
• Nominations must remain strictly confidential. Nominators and nominees are expected to uphold and adhere to strict confidentiality throughout the process. This confidentiality ensures unbiased evaluation and preserves the integrity of the selection process.

The PMI Fellow Award follows a multi-stage evaluation process.

All submissions are rigorously reviewed by qualified volunteers and subject matter experts, leading to the selection of finalists and the selection of a recipient.

Step 1 — Nomination Submission
An eligible lead nominator identifies a deserving candidate and submits a nomination letter (see guidelines).

Step 2 — Review
Verify the nominee’s eligibility and that all required materials have been submitted. An internal review team, composed of PMI volunteers, evaluates all eligible nominations and selects a group of finalists.

Step 3 — Additional Information
Finalists will be contacted and provided with detailed instructions to submit a comprehensive package including a volunteer contribution profile and additional letters of support.

Nomination Letter

Nominator submits a nomination letter signed by the author, which:

• Describes the contributions that merit the award, including how the contributions demonstrate the stated pillars representing an improved or enhanced use of project management, or resulting in a lasting contribution to the profession.
• Documents personal knowledge of the nominee’s contributions.
• Notes length and type of association with the nominee.
• Discloses any personal or professional relationship with the nominee.
• Includes the nominator’s contact information (phone number and email address).
• The lead nominator and each additional nominator also need to sign the PMI Permissions and Release Form.

Crafting a Strong Nomination

Focus on Impact
Rather than listing a comprehensive set of activities, emphasize contributions that demonstrate measurable and meaningful impacts on PMI, the community, and the project management profession.

Align with Criteria
Ensure all highlighted contributions align with the award’s stated pillars and criteria  to enhance the nomination’s relevance and strength.

Be Specific
Provide clear examples of how the nominee’s contributions have advanced the profession, improved practices, or driven innovation within PMI and the professional community through leadership, impact, and volunteer service.

• No more than three pages in length.
• Showcase the nominee’s most impactful contributions.
• The nomination letter must adhere to the following formatting guidelines:
  • Font: Arial, 11-point
  • Spacing: Single-spaced
  • Margins: Standard (1 inch/2.5 cm)
• All submissions must be completed through PMI's designated award platform in PDF format. Submissions received through any other method will not be considered.

Adhere to the following structure:

Section 1: Nominee Introduction

• Provide a brief introduction of the nominee.
• Include details about your relationship with the nominee and how you are familiar with their work and contributions.

Section 2: Significant Contributions to PMI and the Profession

• Highlight the nominee's most impactful contributions to PMI and the project management profession.
• Organize your examples around the PMI Fellow Award Pillars and criteria.

Section 3: Embodiment of PMI Culture Values

• Explain why you believe this individual embodies the character of a PMI Fellow.
• Reflect on how the nominee demonstrates PMI's cultural values.