IIL is proud to create endowed scholarships in the name of Dr. Harold Kerzner to support project management education and excellence, in partnership with Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF). Dr. Kerzner is a globally recognized expert on project, program, and portfolio management, innovation and strategic planning. For 50 years, Dr. Kerzner has shared vital guidance for making project management a strategic tool for competitive advantage and helping companies around the world build a powerful foundation for company improvement and excellence.
The Kerzner Award for Excellence in Social Impact Purpose: The purpose of The Kerzner Award is to recognize a project manager who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in applying project management practices to create meaningful, measurable, and lasting social impact. This award honors an individual whose superior performance and use of project management methods, skills, and techniques have driven positive outcomes for communities, youth, society, or the planet. Whether that be through nonprofit work, social enterprises, public sector initiatives, or mission-driven projects in business and industry.
Sponsored by the International Institute for Learning, Inc., the award is named in recognition of Dr. Harold Kerzner, Executive Director for Project Management at IIL. Dr. Kerzner is a globally recognized expert on project, program, and portfolio management and strategic planning, and the author of more than 60 best-selling books on project management. The award embodies his belief that exceptional project management not only advances organizational goals but elevates humanity by enabling projects that create real-world value and improve lives. Eligibility: Candidates must possess the PMI® PMP® credential or equivalent and may be associated with any industry or sector from anywhere in the world. Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate any project manager via the online nomination form. You can choose to nominate yourself or a colleague. Evaluation Process: A distinguished panel of judges proficient in project management processes and techniques will review the nomination forms and letters of recommendation, choosing a winner. The evaluation and selection process consists of two stages: Evaluation and Final selection. The award recipient will be presented at the PMI Global Summit. Further recognition may also occur at International Institute for Learning‘s (IIL’s) International Project Management Day.
Requirements to apply:
- Two letters of recommendation must also be provided by non-relatives who can attest to the applicant’s skills, qualifications, and project management proficiency.
- The completed online nomination form and two letters of recommendation must be submitted by April 3rd, 2026, 11PM EST
- A PowerPoint Presentation which contains lessons learned from a project for which the nominee was project manager and show how their project leadership led to positive social impact.
The Award Recipient Will Receive:
- Recognition in PMIEF marketing activities, including press releases, website, events, posters, social media.
- All expenses paid trip to the PMI Global Summit
- Commemorative award
Please contact PMIEF@pmi.org with any additional questions.
Dr. Harold Kerzner is a globally recognized expert on project, program, and portfolio management, innovation and strategic planning, and a Senior Executive Director at International Institute for Learning. For 50 years, Dr. Kerzner has shared vital guidance for making project management a strategic tool for competitive advantage and helping companies around the world build a powerful foundation for company improvement and excellence.
Dr. Kerzner is the author of best-selling books about project management, including Innovation Project Management: Methods, Case Studies, and Tools for Managing Innovation Projects (2019), The Future of Project Management (2018), and Project Management Best Practices, Fourth Edition (2018).
His distinguished contributions to the industry include the Kerzner Award, given by the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Project Management Institute, annually to one project manager in Northeast Ohio who has demonstrated excellence in project management. The Italian Institute of Project Management (ISIPM) presented Dr. Kerzner with the 2019 International ISIPM Award for his contributions to the field of Project Management. NOTE: This is NOT the Kerzner Scholarship. That is run through Academic Scholarships. Please refer to that page and process to apply for that.
Project Mangers Without Borders (PMWB) invites your chapter to be part of a powerful initiative by initiating social impact projects. For PMWB, Social Impact Projects are when Chapters and Volunteers use their project management skills to work with Nonprofit Partners towards the meet the United Nations Sustainability Goals.
By participating, your chapter members will gain invaluable project management experience, develop leadership skills, and expand their professional network while contributing to meaningful social impact and elevating our world. #ProjectsOnPurpose
For more information about this initiative and how to engage please visit the Marketing resources for Chapters Portal (Frontify).
Is your chapter ready to make a difference?