National Medal of Technology and Innovation 2012 Nomination Guidelines

National Medal of Technology and Innovation 2012 Nomination Guidelines

Page 1 of 3

PATENTS TRADEMARKS IP LAW & POLICY PRODUCTS & SERVICES INVENTORS NEWS & NOTICES FAQs ABOUT US

National Medal of Technology and Innovation 2012 Nomination Guidelines

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (formerly known as the National Medal of Technology) is the highest honor
awarded by the President of the United States to America’s leading innovators. Established by statute in 1980, the National
Medal of Technology and Innovation was first awarded in 1985. The Medal is given to individuals, teams, and/or
companies/divisions for their outstanding contributions to the Nation’s economic, environmental and social well-being through
the development and commercialization of technology products, processes and concepts; technological innovation; and
development of the Nation’s technological manpower.
The purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to
America's competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation, and to recognize those who
have made substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation’s technological workforce. By highlighting the national
importance of technological innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of Americans to prepare for and
pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

Eligibility
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z

Nominations for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation can be made for an individual, a team of up to four
individuals, a company or a division of a company.
Self-nominations are not accepted.
Individuals or teams of individuals from a national laboratory or government agency are eligible for nomination; however,
a national laboratory or government agency as an organization is not eligible for consideration.
In the case of individuals and teams, U.S. citizenship is a requirement.
In the case of a for-profit company or non-profit organization, the company/organization must be U.S.-owned, which is
defined by the Medal program as having more than 50 percent of its shares or assets owned by U.S. citizens.
Only nominations on behalf of living individuals are eligible for consideration. However, if an individual passes away
after their recommendation is sent forward, a posthumous award may be made.
Members of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Evaluation Committee cannot receive the Medal during
the period of their service on the committee or for a period of three years thereafter.
All nominees selected as finalists through the merit review process will be subject to an FBI security check. Information
collected through the security check may be considered in the final selection of winners.

Submission Procedures
z
z
z

z

z
z
z

2012 nominations and letters of recommendation must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET, March 31, 2012.
The 2012 National Medal of Technology and Innovation nomination form can be downloaded from the USPTO website.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation cannot be awarded for the same work that was previously recognized
by the National Medal of Science. Nominations for previous winners of the National Medal of Science must clearly
differentiate the work that distinguishes this nomination from the work that was the basis for the earlier award.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation cannot be awarded to an organization for the same work for which
individuals within the organization have already been awarded the Medal. Nominations for organizations that have
previously won the National Medal of Technology and Innovation must clearly differentiate the work that distinguishes
this nomination from the work that was the basis for the earlier award.
Nomination files should be submitted by electronic mail to: [email protected].
Nomination files should be in Word document and labeled: last name, underscore, first name.doc (Doe_John.doc) or
team last names separated by underscore (Doe_Jones_Smith.doc) or company/organization.
The nomination must include at least six letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-hand
knowledge of the cited achievement(s). It is preferred that the letters of recommendation be included with the electronic
nomination file in a Microsoft Word (.doc) or as a PDF file. Please label each letter with last name of nominee,
underscore, first name, underscore, the word “rec” and last name of person writing support letter.doc.

For example: Doe_John_recSmith.doc.
z
z

z

z
z

Contact information for those sending letters of recommendation on the nomination form in Section V should be included
in the nomination. A confirmation reply will be sent to those sending recommendation letters.
Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be sent by electronic mail to [email protected], fax to 571-270-9100, or
overnight delivery to the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, c/o Program Manager, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. Letters of recommendation must arrive by 5:00 p.m.
ET, March 31, 2012.
Once submitted, nominations remain active for two years, including the year of nomination and the subsequent
nomination year. After that period, nominators must submit a new nomination in order to be considered for selection. In
unusual circumstances, the evaluation committee may extend the eligibility period for a specific nomination.
All material submitted will be retained in the nominee’s file in the National Medal of Technology and Innovation office for
committee review.
Please note that the submission is not complete until a confirmation reply is received by the nominator. In the event of
difficulty, please contact (571) 272-8333.

http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/Nomination_Guidelines_page.jsp

2/23/2012

National Medal of Technology and Innovation 2012 Nomination Guidelines

Page 2 of 3

Evaluation Criteria
The President of the United States awards the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to individuals, teams, and
companies/divisions of companies deserving of special recognition by way of their outstanding contributions to the economic,
environmental, and social well-being of the United States through the development and commercialization of technology
products, processes and concepts, and through the development of the Nation's technological manpower.
The law establishing the National Medal of Technology and Innovation highlights three areas for which the Medal may be
awarded:
z
z
z

contributions to the economic well-being of the United States;
contributions to the environmental well-being of the United States; and
contributions to the social well-being of the United States.

Each nomination for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is evaluated for achievements in these three areas
based on one of three tailored sets of criteria:
1.

criteria for individual and team nominations for technology products, processes, and concepts;

2.

criteria for company and division nominations for technology and technological innovation; or

3.

criteria for promotion of technological manpower. Nominations should provide detailed information on the
nominee’s contributions in terms of the applicable criteria articulated below:

(1) Nomination for Individual or Team – Technology: Products, Processes, and Concepts
An individual or team nomination for technology products, processes, and concepts is evaluated for the individual’s or team’s
contributions to the improvement of the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the United States, and for the
challenges faced and overcome.
Economic contributions considered, but not limited to, include: importance and breadth of penetration of the technology,
process or concept, including the number of industries/sectors benefited and the depth of influence in one or more
industries/sectors; revenues; U.S. exports; U.S. job creation/wages; contribution to U.S. economic growth, productivity, and
competitiveness; importance of patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property; and business formation.
Environmental contributions considered, but not limited to, include: environmental stewardship:
reduction/remediation/prevention of pollution (air, bodies of water, soil, drinking water, noise); conservation; recycling, and
waste reduction; global climate change; biodiversity; and sustainable development.
Contributions to social well-being considered, but not limited to, include: U.S. global prestige and leadership; human health;
safety and security (personal, homeland, defense); education, training, and enlightenment; communication and social
cohesiveness; personal productivity and life management; enhanced human performance; greater personal time and leisure
activities; and economic opportunity.
In addition to the contributions to the Nation’s well-being, a nomination may be evaluated in terms of the challenges –
technological, commercial, competitive, societal, and time – faced and overcome, including, but not limited to: the vision
that was created; development and execution of a plan, including degree of vision, persistence, risk-taking, and barriers
overcome; evidence extraordinary achievement and/or entrepreneurial, organizational, or managerial skills demonstrated
relevant to the achievement; degree of technical challenge; degree of commercialization challenge; and technical novelty.
(2) Nomination for Company or Division of a Company -- Technology/Technological Innovation
A nomination of a company or division of a company for technology or technological achievement is evaluated for the
company's or division's contributions to the improvement of the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the United
States, and for the challenges faced and overcome.
Economic contributions considered, but not limited to, include: importance and breadth of penetration of the technologies,
processes or concepts, including the number of industries/sectors benefited and the depth of influence in one or more
industries/sectors; revenues; U.S. exports; U.S. job creation/wages; contribution to U.S. economic growth.
Environmental contributions considered, but not limited to, include: environmental stewardship:
reduction/remediation/prevention of pollution (air, bodies of water, soil, drinking water, noise); conservation, recycling, and
waste reduction; global climate change; biodiversity; and sustainable development.
Contributions to social well-being considered, but not limited to, include: U.S. global prestige and leadership; human health;
safety and security (personal, homeland, and defense); education, training, and enlightenment; communication and social
cohesiveness; personal productivity and life management; enhanced human performance; greater personal time and leisure
activities; and economic opportunity.
In addition to the contributions to the Nation's well-being, a nomination may be evaluated in terms of the challenges –
technical, commercial, competitive, societal, and time – faced and overcome, including, but not limited to: the vision that
was created; development and execution of a plan, including degree of vision, persistence, risk-taking, and barriers overcome;
and development of an organizational culture and/or structure capable of germinating and nurturing repeated technological
achievement and commercial success, including elements such as management leadership, strong and sustained human
resources development, technology strategy and technology management linked to corporate strategy, an environment
conducive to teamwork and cross-functional communications, customer orientation, and manufacturing flexibility and
excellence.
(3) Nomination for Promotion of Technological Manpower
A nomination for contributions to technological manpower is evaluated for the nominee’s contributions to the improvement of
the economic and social well-being of the United States, and for the challenges faced and overcome.

http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/Nomination_Guidelines_page.jsp

2/23/2012

National Medal of Technology and Innovation 2012 Nomination Guidelines

Page 3 of 3

Economic contributions considered, but not limited to, include: increasing the supply of U.S. technological manpower in
response to market demands; improving the knowledge and effectiveness of U.S. technological manpower; rapid development
and scale-up of education and training to meet the technological manpower demands generated by emerging technologies;
business formation resulting from development of technological manpower; expanded access to education and training
resulting in an increase in the supply and effectiveness of technological manpower; improving market responses to market
demands for technological manpower, including better data, information, analysis, public awareness, and communication
among stakeholders; and improving the Nation’s ability to attract and retain commercial activity in the United States as a result
of improving the Nation’s technological manpower.
Contributions to social well-being considered, but not limited to, include: increasing diversity of technological workforce, and
improvements in U.S. K-12 student performance in science, mathematics, and technology.
In addition to the contributions to the Nation’s well-being, a nomination may be evaluated in terms of the challenges faced and
overcome, including but not limited to the magnitude of social, economic, institutional, and time challenges in improving the
number, knowledge and effectiveness of technological manpower.
This page is owned by Office of the Chief Communications Officer.

http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/Nomination_Guidelines_page.jsp

Last Modified: 1/9/2012 1:04:37 PM

2/23/2012