IHS Alumni Impact Award

About the award

Established in 2012, the IHS Alumni Impact Award is a competition that takes place every two years, with the aim of recognising and supporting worldwide urban initiatives of IHS alumni. Through this platform, IHS alumni who make an impact in their cities and communities through innovative small scale urban initiatives and projects can showcase their work and inspire other urban professionals to become change-makers. This year, the closing event and ceremony for the award will take place in October, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. More information will be shared soon.

The application for the IHS Alumni Impact Award competition is now open!

Award structure

The IHS Alumni Impact Award 2026 is envisioned as a hybrid competition, consisting of four phases. Below, you can take a look at the timeline, from submission to award ceremony. More specific logistical details will be communicated to the participants.

We are now in the first phase: Application. The form for submissions will remain open until the 3rd of July. 
Are you unsure whether your initiative fits the criteria or have other questions? E-mail us at alumni@ihs.nl and we will be happy to assist you.

Award phases

1. Application 

IHS alumni worldwide will be invited to submit initiatives, projects, or organizations that demonstrate measurable or meaningful local impact. The submissions are made through an online application form.

Eligibility criteria:

• IHS alumni who submit their projects must be directly involved in the submitted initiative themselves, as either initiators or part of the core group.
• The initiative already exists, and there are activities and some degree of impact on the local community.
• The submissions must concern small-scale initiatives.
• They are closely linked to urban development.
• They align with SDG11 and the core theme of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
• Submissions are in English, complete, entered by IHS graduates, and on topic.

Applications are open to all IHS alumni regardless of nationality or country of residence.

2. Promotion of the submissions

Complete and valid submissions will be featured on the website, and each project will be promoted on social media and in a dedicated newsletter, for more visibility within the IHS network. 

3. Selection

This is a three-step process, structured as follows:

• Community voting: individuals can vote for their favourite initiative online, for a limited amount of time. Please note that the vote has a limited weight in the total score which determines the finalists and its main role is to increase the visibility of the initiatives and participating alumni.
• Expert jury evaluation: this is the most important selection step, as the expert panel will approach the process in a qualitative manner. The jury members will be announced at a later stage.
• Alumni Board evaluation (same modality as the jury).

4. Final event in Rotterdam

The final event will take place in one half a day, and it will bring together finalists, alumni, staff, students, partners and urban professionals in the Netherlands. The event will have two parts: a two-hour workshop, followed by a festive part which includes the award ceremony and networking drinks.

Do you want to know more about the award structure and stages? 
Check the graphic below for an overview of the process.
If you have questions, please contact us at alumni@ihs.nl 

Curious about the last edition's contestants and winners?

You can view all of last edition's participating initiatives, take a look at the three finalist projects or watch the webinar with the finalists.