Donald S. Barrie Award Nomination

The Donald S. Barrie Award is for a research paper which seeks to advance the PMBOK® Guide in the field of design, procurement and/or construction by providing a practical contribution to design, engineering, and construction.

Donald S. Barrie Award Nomination

The Donald S. Barrie Award is for a research paper which seeks to advance the PMBOK® Guide in the field of design, procurement and/or construction by providing a practical contribution to design, engineering, and construction.
Selection criteria

Criterion 1

Successfully applied research outcomes in practice and/or contributed to knowledge through extraction of learning from practice.

Criterion 2

Published and subjected to peer-review in the individual’s area of expertise, and contributing to project management. Examples include journal articles, conference papers, books or book chapters, keynote presentations, or invited contributions.

Criterion 3

Published within the last two years.

Criterion 4

Presents a pragmatic approach to engineering and construction issues with a focus on:

  • Engineering and construction means and methods
  • Project organizations and delivery systems
  • Engineering and construction performance
  • Cost, schedule, and progress controls
Key dates
3 February 2025 - Nominations open
18 April 2025 - Nominations close
November 2025 - Winners announced

Students, researchers, and practitioners are eligible to submit papers which advance the PMBOK Guide in the field of design, procurement, and/or construction with a useful contribution to the engineering and construction industry.

The published paper should present a pragmatic approach and solutions to engineering and construction issues, and focus on:

  • Engineering and construction means and methods
  • Project organizations and delivery systems
  • Engineering and construction performance
  • Cost, schedule, and progress controls
  • Strategies, risks, challenges, advances, and issues related to contracts and procurement in design, engineering, and construction

However, some individuals are ineligible for the award.

  • Current PMI team members
  • Current members of PMI’s Academic Insight Team (AIT)
  • Anyone who has received this award within the last 10 years
  • Individuals who have failed to comply with PMI policies and procedures, including PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Current members of PMI/PMIEF’s Board of Directors may neither be nominated, nor participate in nomination or evaluation.

The nomination package must contain:

  • Basic information, contact details, etc. for the applicant
  • Explanation of the contribution that this paper makes to advance the PMBOK® Guide in the field of design, procurement, and/or construction by providing a useful contribution to the engineering and construction industry (500 word max)
  • The applicant’s resume or CV (in .pdf or .doc format) with a complete list of publications that specifically contribute to practice
  • Electronic copy of the nominated paper (.pdf or .doc)

Incomplete, late, or non-English nominations will not be reviewed. 

The winning papers will be selected by a panel of experts, with a focus on:

  • Originality of presented concept(s)
  • Applicability to the field of project management
  • Practical applications of the concept

Award recipients will be notified via email.

PMI/PMIEF reserves the right to not to present an award on the basis of the papers received. 

One Donald S. Barrie Award will be presented at a designated project management event.

The award recipient will be publicized through PMI communication channels and external media after the presentation of the award. The recipient may also coordinate additional publicity with PMI.

Recipients of the Donald S. Barrie Award will receive US$500 in total for the paper submitted.

Only one Donald S. Barrie Award will be granted annually. PMI reserves the right not to select a recipient for a particular year.

PMI will not reimburse any expense for nomination or presentation materials.

PMI reserves the right within its sole discretion, and at any time up to presentation of the award, to determine that a candidate is or has become ineligible. If this happens, PMI will notify the candidate as soon as possible.

Please send all inquiries to [email protected] FAO Daniel Nicholls.

Students, researchers, and practitioners are eligible to submit papers which advance the PMBOK Guide in the field of design, procurement, and/or construction with a useful contribution to the engineering and construction industry.

The published paper should present a pragmatic approach and solutions to engineering and construction issues, and focus on:

  • Engineering and construction means and methods
  • Project organizations and delivery systems
  • Engineering and construction performance
  • Cost, schedule, and progress controls
  • Strategies, risks, challenges, advances, and issues related to contracts and procurement in design, engineering, and construction

However, some individuals are ineligible for the award.

  • Current PMI team members
  • Current members of PMI’s Academic Insight Team (AIT)
  • Anyone who has received this award within the last 10 years
  • Individuals who have failed to comply with PMI policies and procedures, including PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Current members of PMI/PMIEF’s Board of Directors may neither be nominated, nor participate in nomination or evaluation.