Bright Spark Lecture Award

About this program

The International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) sponsors the Bright Spark Lecture Award to promote outstanding young geotechnical engineers by inviting recipients to deliver 20–30 minute keynote/invited lectures at international or regional conferences, write a plenary paper, and receive a certificate (no monetary prize). Eligible candidates are ISSMGE young members aged 35 or under on the last day of the conference (36 if the conference is before 1 March 2025) and must be nominated by their member society (maximum three nominees per society). Nominations require three recommendation letters (including at least one from the nominating member society and at least one from the nominee’s university, company, or equivalent); local conference organising committees identify and review nominees and may select up to four recipients per conference. Local organisers are encouraged to call for and recommend nominees at least six months before the conference and must submit completed applications and attachments to the ISSMGE President and Awards Committee (copying the YMPG) for approval at least three months before the conference (exceptions for conferences before 1 March 2025).