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Common questions:
Must the award money be used for research?
No, it's an unrestricted cash gift.
How many awards are there each year?
There is only one $30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize presented each year.
Are there any requirements for being selected a finalist?
If you are selected a finalist, you must attend a press conference/awards ceremony/luncheon in February 2009.
Additionally, you may be requested to participate in public educational activities. We also encourage you to attend the Lemelson-MIT Awards event in Boston, Mass.
Who is eligible to apply?
All currently enrolled Rensselaer seniors and graduate students—regardless of major.
Only individuals can apply—
sorry, no team applications
When is the deadline?
4:00 p.m., Friday, December 5, 2008 .
Am I required to have a patent?
No.
Do I forfeit my intellectual property rights by submitting an application?
Generally, no. We use only titles and short descriptions of inventions for public relations purposes. Moreover, the judging panel, as members of the Rensselaer community, are asked to keep in mind that student applications are distributed solely for the purpose of evaluation for the Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize and should not be reproduced for other purposes. However, please be aware that you will be barred from obtaining patent protection, if the patent application is filed more than one year after a "publication" that may permit a person reasonably skilled in the field to make the invention based upon your application. Please consult the Rensselaer policies relating to intellectual property, the Rensselaer Office of Technology Commercialization to ensure protection of your intellectual property.
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To apply: |
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Complete preliminary registration |
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Print application form (pdf) and submit materials (1 unbound original and 5 bound copies) by 4 p.m., Friday, December 5, 2008 to: Joe Chow, School of Engineering Dean's Office, JEC 3004 |
What you'll need to do:
After completing the preliminary registration, you will submit the following materials in hard-copy (1 unbound and 5 bound copies) with your application.
(Only individuals can apply—sorry, no team applications )
A. Describe your inventiveness while at Rensselaer in 1000 words or less.
Please address the following (if applicable):
- Define the problems/needs and how your invention(s) offers solutions
- What makes your invention(s) new?
- How does your invention(s) improve upon prior technology or processes?
- What are the potential economic, environmental and societal benefits of your invention(s)?
- If you have worked in team environments, what was your role in
developing key inventions?
B. Two letters of recommendation from Rensselaer faculty members and/or Rensselaer research scientist staff.
Please ensure that your recommenders keep in mind the following:
- The letter of recommendation should be no more than two pages
- Letters should be addressed to:
The Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize Committee - Significance of the applicant’s invention(s)/innovation(s) to the field
- Student’s role in invention(s)
- Definition of the state of the art in the area of invention(s)
- Potential implications of student’s work
C. Current CV or resume.
D. Supplementary Materials (OPTIONAL):
- Up to three 8.5” x 11” photos/diagrams of your work, if applicable.
What makes an excellent application?
- Follow directions (e.g. word count, etc.)
- Write for a technically literate audience, while maintaining a readable style similar to that of Scientific American and Technology Review. While the judges are experienced in their areas of discipline, not all of them will have expertise in your area. Remember, there are professionals waiting to help you at the Writing Center. Use them.
- Give your recommenders adequate time to complete their letter and be sure they are aware of deadlines and other expectations.
On what criteria are the applications judged?
The judges look at the following criteria:
- inventive behavior;
- creativity;
- potential as a role model;
- societal benefit;
- potential for commercial success; and supporting letters.
No one criterion is considered paramount. Keeping in mind the goals of the Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize, we ask the judges to take a holistic view of each application. Additionally, it is important that applications are well-presented and complete according to competition instructions.
Who are the judges?
The judging panel is comprised of Rensselaer alumni and professionals from a variety of backgrounds—ranging from mechanical engineering, biology, physics, and medicine to venture capital, environmental policy, and patent law.
