Instituted following a bequest made to the Institution by Thomas Telford (1757-1834), first President of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), to be expended in the provision of medals and premiums awarded annually in connection with papers presented to the Institution. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded from 1837 to 1840. Now, Telford Premiums are awarded to recognise key papers across the journals.
Each year ICE award authors from both industry and academia who have produced work judged by their peers to be of exceptional quality and benefit to the civil engineering, construction and materials science community.