NAI’s Student Showcase identifies and celebrates exceptional student inventors and serves as the premier arena to cultivate partnerships among the brightest minds in academic innovation, from across the nation and around the world. As a new expansion to the Showcase, the Genspiration Prize awards excellence in student innovation at both K-12 and university levels. The Prize is awarded by the Genspiration Foundation and NAI to student invention teams or individuals whose innovations have impressive potential in creating positive societal impact. Held at NAI’s Annual Conference, Student Showcase participants have the unique opportunity to present their innovation to the world’s leading inventors, university leaders, industry leaders, and inventive institutions and compete for the Genspiration Prize to be recognized on the national level, as well as represent the impressive caliber of innovation happening at their institution or organization. The Student Showcase will be held June 24th, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Prize consists of two categories. The Genspiration Young Inventors Prizes recognizes outstanding innovation two age groups: K-8th grade (K-8) and 9th grade-12th grade (9-12). Recipients of the Genspiration Young Inventors Prize will receive a cash prize of $5,000 towards the development of their innovation and their affiliated organization receives $3,000 towards innovation programs and assistance with obtaining a provisional patent.
The Genspiration University Inventors Prize is awarded to exceptional inventors currently pursuing a Bachelor degree*. Recipients of the Genspiration Collegiate Inventors Prize will receive a cash prize of $5,000 towards the development of their innovation.
*When a team consists of both undergraduate and graduate students, the team must have the undergrad represented as the team lead and the final decision on placement in competition is at the judge’s discretion.
All Student Showcase participants will receive financial assistance for travel accommodations.
Applications for the 2025 Genspiration Prize now open. Apply now!
Applications close February 11, 2025.
Please contact Carrie White at [email protected] with any inquiries.
About the Genspiration Foundation
The Genspiration Foundation is a family foundation founded by Judy Genshaft and Steve Goldbaum. The foundation’s mission is supporting education and innovation through initiatives that deliver measurable and impactful outcomes that benefit society. As part of this mission, the Genspiration Foundation is committed to recognizing student inventors and providing support and mentorship to further advance their ability to translate their innovations to make positive societal and economic impacts.
FAQ
When and Where is the Annual NAI Conference?
The NAI Annual Conference Forward Together: Innovating with Purpose is in Atlanta, Georgia from June 23 – June 26, 2025.
Hotel Accommodations will be at the Loews Hotel in Midtown Atlanta.
Who Can Compete?
The competition is open to individuals and teams in three categories: young inventors in kindergarten through 8th grade (K-8), young inventors in 9th-12th grade (9-12), and university students . If competeing as a team, the team lead and two additional team members may attend the Annual Conference. When a university team consists of both undergraduate and graduate students, the team must have the undergrad represented as the team lead and the final decision on placement in competition is at the judge’s discretion
What is the Prize?
The Genspiration Young Inventor Prize winner will receive $5,000 for the individual/team. Their sponsoring organization/local affiliate will receive $3,000 to support the mission and vision of their organization and will receive support for a patent of their choosing. (Donated by Anton Hopen with Smith & Hopen, U.S.Patent & Trademark Attorney firm). Showcase participants receive complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting (up to 3 per team) valued at $1,500. Each team will receive complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting for an accompanying adult (one per individual or team member) valued at $1,500 each
The Genspiration University Inventor Prize winner (Individual or team) will receive $5,000. Showcase participants receive complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting (up to 3 per team) valued at $1,500.
In addition, the Student Showcase allows student presenters to receive direct feedback on their innovations, as well as opportunities to be mentored by NAI Fellows and Senior Members.
Who Can Apply in the Young Inventor Category?
For K-8 and 9-12 submissions, students must be enrolled in a K-12 academic institution. Students must have placed as a finalist with their current invention in a previous regional or national competition. Students will need a letter of support from their local affiliate. The presented innovation must be relevant to the Annual Conference theme: Foward Together: Innovating with Purpose.
What do I need from my Local Affiliate?
A letter of support that clearly outlines the organizations mission and vision for young inventors and the top goal they wish to achieve if prize money is awarded to their organization.
Examples of Local Affiliates:
- California Invention Convention
- Gulf Coast Independent Inventors Program
- Ohio Invention Convention
Who can apply for the University Category?
University inventors must be enrolled in an undergraduate program of a NAI Member institution. Check our Member Directory for a full list of Member Institutions. If a team consists of both undergraduate and graduate students, the team must have the undergrad represented as the team lead and the final decision on placement in competition is at the judge’s discretion.
Will Travel be Covered?
A travel voucher will be provided to help cover cost of hotel and travel expenses per team/individual. Each team can send up to 3 people to represent the invention in person. Travel expenses will be assigned based on each teams’ individual needs and expenses (Exp. Driving vs Flying). If flying, airfare must be booked in economy. A detailed itinerary will be sent when the finalist is notified.
Application requirements include:
- Abstract Proposal (General overview of how your invention can be utilized, features benefits, purpose and objective)
- An innovation Abstract (Deep Dive into invention/innovation)
- Future Advancement (Where does your innovation fit into the society’s future)
- Sustainable Impact (How does your innovation have long lasting impacts on society and the economy.
- Application will require students to provide information on how their invention/innovation relates to the overarching Convention theme
Students for both the Young Inventors Prize and the Collegiate Inventors Prize will be required to provide the following:
- A Letter of support from the sponsoring organization/institution
- Submission of Application (Apply Here)
- a 1-3-minute YouTube Video explaining the invention. See video guidelines here YouTube Guide
Video Requirements:
Video Content
- Watch the Inventor Keys for Success Explainer Video for an overview of tips and best practices to help you present your invention successfully.
- Ensure you have quality lighting and you film in a quiet setting.
- Wear comfortable, neat clothing.
- Practice in front of a mirror.
- At the beginning of your video, include this statement: “My name is/We are (say your first and last name or team name) and I am an inventor/we are inventors in the Genspiration Prize competition.”
- Describe your primary invention. What problem(s) does it address and how? Think about how you would describe your invention to a high school or collegiate student audience. What is/was your inspiration? What motivated you to come up with this solution?
- What is the business case for your invention? Discuss the market size and potential impact on society of your invention on the marketplace. How many people could benefit from it? How many jobs could be created? Is it already out in the marketplace?
- Clearly demonstrate and describe how your invention works.
- When you are satisfied with your final video, upload your video to YouTube. Please refer to the How to Upload to YouTube Guide for assistance on how to upload.
How will I be judged?
Applicants will be judged by the Genspiration Committee based on the following criteria.
- Overall innovation and originality of their work
- Functionality and Creativity of their Invention.
- Connection to the Convention theme.
- Impact the invention may make
- Overall Presentation
What are the important deadlines?
- Applications due February 11th
- Finalist announced by the end of March
- Student Showcase takes place June 24
- Genspiration Prize Winners will be announced June 25
K-12 Requirements and Eligibility
- The Genspiration Prize is open to individuals and teams. If applying as a team, the team lead and two additional team members may attend the Annual Conference.
- Students must be enrolled in a K-12 academic institution.
- Students must have placed as a finalist with their current invention in a previous regional or national competition.
- Students will need a letter of support from their local affiliate.
- Student individuals or teams must express an interest in the advancement of their innovation through patenting, licensing or commercialization.
- The presented innovation must be relevant to the Annual Conference theme: Unlocking Innovation: Keys to Societal Solutions.
University Requirements and Eligibility
- The Genspiration Prize is open to individuals and teams. If applying as a team, the team lead and two additional team members may attend the Annual Conference.
- University inventors must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program of a NAI Member Institution. Check our Member Directory for a full list of Member Institutions.
- University inventors will need an endorsement of support from their faculty advisor.
- Student teams must express interest in the advancement of their innovation through patenting, licensing, or commercialization.
- The presented innovation must be relevant to the Annual Conference theme: Unlocking Innovation: Keys to Societal Solutions
