The intention of CIBSE organising awards is to encourage and increase innovation and evidence based research and post occupancy evaluation in engineering of the built environment. CIBSE awards are available to working engineers, companies, teams, students and post graduate researchers. They are different to other Best Project competitions in that it is intended to encourage research, disseminate knowledge gained from this research throughout the industry and raise the level and quality of innovation in projects. Entries must critically evaluate what they are doing and examine mistakes as well as successes in a transparent way analysing data gathered on innovative or sustainable projects. In this way the profession builds capacity to innovate and implement best practice successfully. The professional industry moves from ideologically driven projects sometimes offering poor value to clients, to evidence based innovations that add to value and enhance the stature of our profession. Many of the winning papers are later published in the SDAR* Journal (hyperlink) available on this website.

There are four research competitions organised by CIBSE in partnership with DIT. One is strictly for students, another is for young engineers or students involved in lighting research but the other two are aimed at working engineers:

• The SDAR* Awards – aimed at Working Engineers; Sponsored by John Sisk & Son; closing date Oct 31st every year, with the awards taking place the following March.
• The Irish Lighter – aimed at Working Engineers; Sponsored by Enlighten; Closing date 14th June for entries, with the awards taking place in September every year.
• The Young Lighter – aimed at Graduate Students and Young Engineers; SPONSOR Required; closing date 14th June for entries, with the awards taking place in September.
• Bolton St Builing Services Engineer Student Awards – Sponsored by HEVAC – aimed at Bolton Street Undergraduate Students; Awards take place in March every year.
• Albert Byrne Memorial Award