Student Showcase

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).

Applications must include:

• Name of invention
  
• Proposal abstract (overview of features, benefits, purpose, and objective)
  
• Full proposal
  
• Deep dive into the invention/innovation
  
• Future advancement (role in society’s future)
  
• Sustainable impact (long-term benefits for society/economy)

Additional requirements for all Student Showcase Applicants:

• A letter of support from the sponsoring organization/institution, for K-12 applicants, or an advisor recommendation for collegiate applicants
  
• Completed online application
  
• A 1–3 minute YouTube video explaining the invention

Video requirements:

• Review the “Inventor Keys for Success” You Tube Instruction Video  explainer video before filming.
• Record in a quiet, well-lit space.
  
• Wear neat, comfortable clothing.
  
• Practice beforehand.

Video content should include:

1. Introduction: “My name is/We are (your name or team name), and I am/we are inventors in the Genspiration Prize competition.”
   
2. Description of the invention: problem it addresses, inspiration, and motivation.
   
3. Business case: market size, impact on society, potential beneficiaries, job creation, or marketplace readiness.
   
4. Demonstration of how the invention works.

Uploading instructions:
When complete, upload your video to YouTube. See the YouTube Upload Guide for help.

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

• Applications due: February 13, 2026
  
• Finalists announced: End of March 2026
  
• Student Showcase invitations sent: Early April 2026
  
• Student Showcase: June 2, 2026
  
• Genspiration Prize Winners announced: June 3, 2026
• Bercu Prize Winner announced: June 4, 2026

When does registration open and close?
Applications open on November 10 at 12:00 PM ET and close on February 13 at 11:59 PM ET.

Who can compete?
Any individual or team who has an invention and has competed with that invention on a regional or national level. Each individual or team must be represented, in person, at the Student Showcase at the NAI Annual Conference. If competing as a team, at least one team member, preferably the team lead, must attend the conference.  One additional team member may also attend.  Attendance by additional team members will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The competition is open to:

• • Young inventors in Kindergarten through 8th grade (K–8)
  • Young inventors in 9th–12th grade (High School)
  • Undergraduate University students
  • Masters and PhD students with biomedical inventions 

Can I make changes to my application after I’ve started?

Yes. Your application is automatically saved, and you can make changes until you press submit.

Can we participate as a team?

Yes! You can compete with your invention team. Up to two team members MUST be present at the annual conference. If you are a finalist for the Genspiration Prize, the Genspiration Foundation will cover airfare up to $500.00 in economy for a limited number of team members to attend. 

How does a team apply for the Student Showcase/all prizes? 

The lead team member must fill out the application for the team. Additional members can be listed on the same application. All applications to the Student Showcase will be considered for all eligible prizes.

When and where will the conference take place?
The Annual Conference will be held June 1–4, 2026 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California. A link to the updated Annual Conference theme will be provided, once available.

What are the prizes?

• Genspiration Young Inventor Prize (K–8)
  
  • $5,000 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
  • $5,000 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:
  
  • $5,000 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) 

• Dr. Barry B. Bercu Biomedical University Inventor Prize

• • The Dr. Barry B. Bercu Biomedical Collegiate Inventor Prize will be awarded annually to an exceptional Student Showcase Participant whose invention is in the biomedical field. 
  • Cash prize 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) 

Students selected for the Student Showcase, Genspiration Prize finalists and Bercu finalists will have the opportunity to present at the NAI Annual Conference in L.A., receive direct feedback, and connect with NAI Fellows and Senior Members.

Will travel be covered?
Travel support will be provided for Genspiration Prize Finalists and Bercu Prize Finalists detailed below. 

• Airfare up to $500.00 will be reimbursed after the conference (economy class only).
  
• Hotel accommodations will be booked and paid for by NAI.
  
• Each team must send up to 2 student representatives to present in person.
  
• Travel reimbursement will vary based on individual needs (e.g., driving vs. flying).
• Most meals are included with the NAI Annual Conference registration.  You will be responsible for additional purchases and non-included meals.  Please see the conference schedule for more details. 
• Transportation to/from airport is at your own expense
• If under 18, a chaperone must travel with you.

How do I reserve a hotel room?

If you are a finalist, your hotel room will be reserved and booked by NAI. For university finalists, teammates may be assigned to share rooms when appropriate.

How do I register for the conference?

If you are a finalist, registration will be handled by NAI.

What materials are required to showcase my work?

• Trifold board (36” x 48”) – contact us if you require additional space
  
• Logbook (if applicable)
  
• Prototype (if applicable)
  
• Past awards for display
  
• Any additional supplies you may need (please bring with you)

A shipping address will be provided in advance if you need to send materials ahead of time. Each participant will need to share a list of required materials with conference organizers in advance of the conference.