Applications to the 2026 International Council of Academies of Engineering & Technological Sciences (CAETS) Communication Prize are now open!

The CAETS Communication Prize, the Global Award for Engineering Communication, recognizes the most effective short video — five minutes or less — that communicates the value and impact of engineering and technological innovation to a broad audience. Each CAETS member academy submits one national entry to the international competition. Entries are judged on their clarity, engagement, and ability to make complex ideas accessible and inspiring to non-specialists.

The international winner receives a USD 5,000 prize and funded travel to the CAETS Annual Meeting to be formally recognized.

Objectives

Entries should:
1. Communicate clearly and engagingly to a broad, non-technical audience.
2. Inspire students and young people to consider careers in engineering and technology.
3. Highlight the societal or economic impact of engineering innovations.
4. Demonstrate the importance of engineering and technology in addressing real-world problems.

Process

1. Each CAETS member academy runs its own in-country selection process and submits one video (two if submitting from different genders) to the CAETS Secretariat. Re-submissions from previous years are permitted.
2. Entrants must grant CAETS and its academies the right to promote and distribute the video internationally through media, websites, and events, without expectation of further compensation.
3. The CAETS Communications Committee will provide guidance to the winner and the winning academy regarding communication and promotion of the prize and the winning entry nationally and internationally.

Judging Panel

The international judging panel will consist of the CAETS Communications Committee, plus one representative from the CAETS Board.

Judging Criteria

Each eligible entry will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Clarity and Audience Reach – Clearly designed for a general, non-technical audience, with particular attention to inspiring youth and students.
2. Innovation – Clearly presents how engineering or technology provides a meaningful solution to a real-world challenge.
3. Impact and Credibility – Demonstrates actual or potential societal and/or economic benefits and is based on verifiable information.
4. Cinematic Quality – The video demonstrates thoughtful visual composition and storytelling techniques beyond a simple talking-head presentation. It uses imagery, pacing, and editing to create an engaging and visually compelling experience for viewers.

Video Requirements

Technical requirements:
1. Maximum length: 5 minutes.
2. Format: A link to a publicly accessible video streaming service (e.g. YouTube or equivalent) where the video has been published.
3. Language: Any, but non-English videos must include accurate English subtitles.

Content must include:
1. Description of the problem and its relevance.
2. Clear explanation of the technology and its novelty.
3. Evidence of impact, where available (e.g., number of users, installations, customers).
4. Credits (names and affiliations of contributors, organisational and academy logos).

Content must NOT include:
1. Any music or images that the submitters do not have the rights to or permission to use

Submission

1. The video and completed entry form should be submitted via email to secretariat@saeng.sg by 11:59pm SGT Tuesday 14 April 2026.
2. International entries will close at 11:59pm SGT Thursday 30 April 2026.
3. If multiple entries are received, an internal selection process will be conducted. SAEng may submit one video, or up to two videos if the submissions represent different genders. Re-submissions from previous years are permitted.
4. Video links should be provided to a publicly accessible video streaming service (e.g. YouTube or equivalent) where the video has been published
Further details on the submission guidelines can be found here.