Who will be the face of the engineering community and the technology sector in the coming year? And which student team stood out last year? KIVI (Royal Netherlands Institute of Engineers) will once again award the Prince Friso Engineering Award and the KIVI Engineering Student Team Award this year.
On 11 March 2026, the engineering association KIVI will present the prestigious Prince Friso Engineering Award to an engineer who excels in professional quality, innovation, social value, entrepreneurship, and ambassadorship. A shortlist of three finalists was carefully selected from dozens of nominated candidates.
Prince Friso Engineering Award finalists
The three finalists each represent a different domain within the engineering world. Hydraulic engineer Martine Stam works on future-proof, sustainable dikes and advocates for circular, nature-inclusive, and emission-free designs with a long lifespan. Mechanical engineer Martijn Otten combines leading an internationally successful high-tech printing machine company with social engagement, including the development of unmanned vessels. Environmental engineer Kirsten Steinbusch, through her startups and her role within the Circular Biobased program, demonstrates how science, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking converge in innovative, sustainable solutions.
The three finalists each represent key players in the Dutch high-tech innovation landscape. Their work touches on circular and biobased materials, sustainable and future-proof infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing and production technologies that combine automation, mechatronics, and systems integration. They thus demonstrate how technological innovation contributes to societal transitions and to strengthening the Dutch high-tech ecosystem.
KIVI Engineering Student Team Award
On 11 March 2026, the KIVI Engineering Student Team Award will also be presented to the student team that has most distinguished itself over the past year based on team spirit, innovative capacity, social impact, and technical expertise. The nominated teams are working on cutting-edge technological solutions at the intersection of high-tech engineering, such as quantumtechnologies, smart mobility, robotics, and advanced systems. Who will take home the title this year, Project MARCH from Delft, Formula Student Team Delft, or EduQuation from Eindhoven, remains to be seen.
Want to learn more about all the finalists and/or vote for the audiende award?
Visit the KIVI website for more information about all the finalists or to vote for the Audience Award. Voting is open until 9 March 2026.
