Biometrics Institute Lifetime Achievement Award

The Biometrics Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, launched in 2026, recognises exceptional individuals whose careers have made a sustained and positive contribution to the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics.

Celebrating long-term leadership, influence and impact, the award honours those who have helped shape the biometrics community and who embody the Institute’s values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.

Nominations for the award open every year in May with the award being presented at the annual Biometrics Institute Congress in October. More details on the award can be found in the following.

2026 Lifetime Achievement Award inaugural winner: Terry Hartmann

Often recognised as a father of the ePassport, Terry’s contribution goes far beyond his role. He played a pivotal role in advancing facial recognition, iris and fingerprint biometrics in travel documents, helping shape international standards through ICAO and ISO, and guiding governments worldwide on national identity and border-management programmes. A long-standing contributor to our community and a previous member of our Future Direction Group, Terry has consistently shared his knowledge to help others succeed.

A message from our Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 winner

In this exclusive interview, Terry shares his blueprint for building a successful career in biometrics and how the next generation can lead with responsibility and impact.

Read the full press release to learn more about Terry’s contributions and why he won.

Eligibility criteria

Biometrics Institute Lifetime Achievement Award nominees should meet the following criteria:

1. The nominee needs to have demonstrated their sustained contribution to responsible, ethical and/or effective use of biometrics (e.g. establishing an independent testing centre, conducting research that provided relevant facts, shaping important policy and legislation, or creating technology advancements in the field).
2. The nominator must describe how they see the nominee complying with the Institute’s values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.
3. The nominee needs to have gone above and beyond their formal job description.
4. The nominee needs to have demonstrated a minimum of five years of ongoing engagement with the Institute community (e.g. through delivering presentations at events).
5. The nominee can only be nominated by a member of the Biometrics Institute.
6. The nominee does not have to be a member of the Institute but must be known to the Institute.
7. Once the nomination has been submitted, the Biometrics Institute will contact the nominee to request their acceptance letter, stating they are an ethical practitioner who adheres to the Institute values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.

Nomination and judging process

Nominations open each year. Biometrics Institute members are invited to nominate an outstanding individual or submit a self-nomination.

Nominees do not need to be members of the Institute, but they must be known to the Institute and meet the award criteria. Nominators must be members, ensuring a strong understanding of the Institute’s mission and values.

To uphold high standards of transparency, fairness and excellence, all eligible submissions are assessed by an independent judging panel comprising experts drawn from the Biometrics Institute’s Advisory Council.

Call for nominations

The call for nominations for this award will open again in May 2027.