Eligibility Requirements

Eligible candidates of the $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Global Innovation must:

• be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or foreign nationals currently working legally in the United States
• have created a product, process or material; made a technology more affordable; redesigned a system; or otherwise demonstrated remarkable technological inventiveness in addressing issues that affect the developing world
• provide evidence that their inventions have been adopted for practical use
• work in an area that ultimately improves quality of life (e.g., health, energy quality of air, water or soil, agriculture, shelter, education, biodiversity or ecosystem management)
• serve as an inspiration to young people, through their creativity, outreach or mentoring activities

Candidates may be individuals or a team of two collaborating inventors, and they must be nominated by one of their peers.

Patents are not required for this award, since, in some cases, a key to sustainable impact may require not patenting a technology; however, the caliber of the technology should be such that it could be patented.

Winners will be invited and encouraged to participate in Lemelson-MIT Program activities, including outreach opportunities to inspire young people to pursue creative lives and careers through invention.

Award for Global Innovation Home | Definition of Technological Invention | Nomination Instructions | Mailing Nominations