Since 1990, the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Invent Now have sponsored the Collegiate Inventors Competition.  The Competition recognizes and rewards innovations, discoveries, and research by college and university students and their faculty advisors. The Competition encourages students who actively pursue invention. Students frequently come from science, engineering, mathematics, and technology studies, but creative invention can emerge from any course of study. Therefor, the Competition is open to all students, no matter their majors. The Competition also recognizes the working relationship between a student and his or her advisor.

Who is eligible to enter the Collegiate Inventors Competition? 

Applicants must be enrolled or previously enrolled full-time in any U.S. or Canadian college or university at least part of the 12-month period prior to the submission entry deadline. In the case of a team with a maximum of four students, at least one member of the team must meet the full-time eligibility criteria. The other team members must have been enrolled, at a minimum, on a part-time basis sometime during the 12-month period prior to the entry submission deadline. You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to enter, but you must be attending an institute of higher education in the United States.

How much are the prizes worth? 

Each year, winners in the top three entries in each division receive $100,000 in cash and prizes. Advisors of winning entries receive cash prizes as well. Since 1990, more than $1 million the Collegiate Inventors Competition has awarded to students nationwide!

When is the Collegiate Inventors application due?

The competition is open until June 7, 2021.

Want to view a handy list of FAQs? Click here.

Still have questions? Email [email protected]. for the answers!

Best of luck to all you inventive students!