This page is a concept draft for the Project Contractor of the Year Award
PBF Contractor of the Year Award 2026
Celebrating Excellence Beyond Competence
What We're Looking For
Beyond Good. Truly Exemplary.
Excellence Beyond Competence
Not just "did the job well," but did something uniquely valuable
Impact Beyond Compliance
Not just "had good processes," but created measurable, lasting change
Industry Contribution Beyond Project Success
Not just "client was happy," but advanced the profession and shared knowledge
Innovation Beyond Standard Practice
Not just "followed best practices," but created new best practices
Legacy Beyond Completion
Not just "finished the project," but left lasting impact and transformed relationships
The Deciding Factor:
Would we want to publish this as a case study?
Would others learn from this?
Is this truly exemplary, not just competent?
About the Award
The Project Business Foundation (PBF) Contractor of the Year Award 2026 honors outstanding contractor–client projects that exemplify excellence in Project Business, where projects are not just work, but the business itself.
This award recognizes contractors who have delivered exceptional cross‑corporate outcomes:
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creating measurable business value for customers,
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demonstrating commercial and contractual excellence,
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fostering trust and collaboration across multi‑party project ecosystems, and
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advancing the discipline of Project Business Management through innovation and shared learning.
Whether you are an independent professional or part of a global enterprise, if your project within the last two years demonstrates excellence beyond standard practice, commercial impact beyond contractual compliance, and a legacy that strengthens both your business and the wider project business community, we invite you to share your story.
Award recipients join a global network of leaders shaping the future of cross‑corporate project delivery and contributing to the evolution of Project Business as a profession
Why Participate?
Recognition & Credibility
Industry-recognized validation of your excellence from the Project Business Foundation
Knowledge Sharing
Contribute to advancing the profession and share your innovations with peers
Case Study Publication
Winners featured in published case studies on PBF platforms
Professional Network
Connect with other exemplary contractors and industry leaders
Feedback & Improvement
Constructive feedback to strengthen future submissions
(Stage 1 participants)
CATEGORIES
Based on customer-facing project headcount
Small
1-25 people in customer projects
Includes freelancers and solo practitioners. Recognizing agility, individual accountability, and innovative approaches in boutique delivery.
Medium
25-100 people in customer projects
Growing organizations establishing processes and scaling operations. Recognizing the balance of agility and structure.
Large
101+ people in customer projects
Established organizations with formal processes. Recognizing large-scale delivery excellence and enterprise solutions.
Timeline
March 1, 2026
Submissions Open
Start your nomination and create your account
May 31, 2026
Submission Deadline
Final date to submit all materials
June 1-30, 2026
Stage 1 Assessment
Volunteer assessors evaluate submissions
July 15, 2026
Finalists Announced
Shortlisted nominees notified
August 1-15, 2026
Stage 2 Presentations
Finalists present to judging panel
September 1, 2026
Winners Announced
Award ceremony and publication
Who can apply?
1 / Project Type
Cross-corporate customer-contractor projects (all industries)
2 / Role
You acted as an independent contractor for a paying client under contract
3 / Timeline
Project completed within the last 2 years (2024-2025) or currently running
4 / Client Involvement:
Client must complete assessment form
3 / Publication
Accept publication of a short case profile if selected
What You'll Submit
Written Submission
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~ 2,000-word narrative covering objectives, outcomes, governance, and more
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~ 500-word section: "What Makes This Exemplary?"
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~ 300-word section: "Impact Measurement & Transformation"
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~ 300-word section: "Lessons Learned & Industry Contribution"
Evidence Artifacts
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Draft contract matrix
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Customer-contractor interface RACI
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People Development metric
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Code of conduct acknowledgment
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Integrity plan
Client Assessment Form
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Your client representative completes and submits an independent assessment
Publication Consent
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Agreement to publish a short case story if you're selected as a winner or finalist
The Assessment Process
STAGE 1
Volunteer Review
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Trained assessors evaluate all submissions
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Assessment based on evidence-driven framework
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Top submissions shortlisted for Stage 2
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Feedback provided to all participants
STAGE 2
Judging Panel
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Shortlisted nominees present to expert jury
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20-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A
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High-profile industry experts evaluate
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Winners selected through consensus scoring
You Won't Be Alone
When you submit your nomination, you'll be assigned a Nominee Coach, your single point of contact throughout the entire journey from submission to award.
Your coach will:
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Guide you through the submission process
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Answer questions and provide clarifications
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Help ensure your submission is complete
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Keep you updated on your status
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Support you through Stage 2 if shortlisted
FAQ
How much does it cost to apply?
Free. There is no application fee.
Can I submit multiple projects?
Yes, you can submit separate nominations for different projects, each with their own client assessment.
What if my project is still ongoing?
Ongoing projects are eligible as long as you can demonstrate substantial progress and outcomes to date.
Do I need my client's permission?
Yes. Your client must complete an assessment form as part of your submission.
What happens to my submission data?
All materials are retained for 1 year after the award cycle, then archived or deleted in accordance with GDPR.
Can I save my submission as a draft?
Yes. You can save and edit your submission before final submission.
What if I have questions during submission?
Your assigned Nominee Coach is your single point of contact for all questions and support.
Important
- Submit Nomination
- Categories
- Timeline
- Contact Us
Resources
- Submission Guidelines (PDF)
- Evaluation Framework (PDF)
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