Awards

NAI’s Innovation Showcase identifies and celebrates exceptional member and 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.

Awarded as part as the Showcase, the Genspiration Prize recognizes excellence in student innovation at K8, 9-12, 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, Innovation 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 Genspiration Prize is made possible by our partners at the Genspiration Foundation and their committment 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.

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 $7,500 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 Innovation Showcase are closed. Applicants who meet the eligibility for the Genspiration Prize will automatically be considered for the award.

About the Genspiration Foundation

The Genspiration Foundation is a family foundation founded by Judy Genshaft and Steve Greenbaum. 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.

Eligibility

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.
  • Have placed as a finalist with their current invention in a previous regional or national competition.
  • Provide a letter of support from their local affiliate.
  • Ensure that their innovation relates to the Annual Conference theme (to be announced).

What is a local affiliate?

A  local affiliate is an organization you have worked with that has mentored you or helped you bring your invention to a regional or national competition.

Examples of local affiliates include:

  • California Invention Convention
  • Gulf Coast Independent Inventors Program
  • Ohio Invention Convention
  • School STEM or science programs
  • Project Invent
  • NIC National Innovator Challenge

What do I need from my local affiliate?

A letter of support that clearly outlines the organization’s mission and vision for young inventors, along with the primary goal the local affiliate hopes to achieve, if awarded prize funding.

Who can apply for the University Category?
Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an NAI Member Institution. Check the Member Directory for a complete list of institutions.
  • Provide a letter of support from their advisor.
  • Ensure that their innovation relates to the Annual Conference theme (to be announced).

Application Requirements

Please see Appilication requirements on the Innovation Showcase page.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be judged by the Genspiration Committee on:

  • Innovation and originality
  • Functionality and creativity
  • Relevance to the convention theme
  • Potential impact on society
  • Overall presentation

Prizes

What are the Student Showcase prizes?

  • Genspiration Young Inventor Prize (K–8)

    • $7,500 awarded to the individual/team
    • $3,000 awarded to their sponsoring organization/local affiliate
    • Patent application support provided by Smith & Hopen, U.S. Patent & Trademark Attorneys
    • Complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting (up to 2 per team), valued at $1,500 each
    • Complimentary registration for an accompanying adult (one per team or individual), valued at $1,500
  • Genspiration Young Inventor Prize 9-12
    • $7,500 awarded to the individual/team
    • $3,000 awarded to their sponsoring organization/local affiliate
    • Patent application support provided by Smith & Hopen, U.S. Patent & Trademark Attorneys
    • Complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting (up to 2 per team), valued at $1,500 each
    • Complimentary registration for an accompanying adult (one per team or individual), valued at $1,500
  • Genspiration University Inventor Prize:

    • $7,500 awarded to the individual/team
    • Complimentary registration to the NAI Annual Meeting (up to 2 per team), valued at $1,500 each
    • NAI Mentorship through Global Academic Inventor Network (GAIN) 

Registration, Deadlines, and Travel

For information regarding registration, deadlines, and travel and lodging, please visit the Innovation Exhibtion page.