“Whether it is a statue, plaque, certificate, or some other memento, there is something about an award that changes other people’s perceptions of the recipient’s value.”
So starts a new white paper that we’ve co-authored with the technology transfer folks at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, specifically Laurie Stauber. Titled “And the Winner Is…: Using Innovation Awards to Boost Commercialization,” this white paper provides insight on how to leverage an effective awards strategy to boost the technology transfer/commercialization process.
The paper begins by discussing the value of innovation awards and how they positively contribute to the commercialization process:
- An award adds credibility to the technology’s marketing materials and its originating R&D organization (especially when the award is coming from an external sponsor).
- Winning an award helps get the word out about the technology through the publicity materials of both the award sponsor and the recipient organization.
- Award ceremonies can provide a chance to network with potential licensees and collaborators (and not just for the winning technology).
- Awards help innovators understand the significance of their technologies and, in turn, inspire them to create more—and more valuable—innovations. (The paper includes a Q&A with prolific NASA Glenn innovator Bruce Banks, giving his first-hand perspective on this point.)
The white paper "And the Winner Is…: Using Innovation Awards to Boost Commercialization" can be downloaded free. Simply click this image.
But the paper doesn’t simply try to convince tech transfer offices on the value of innovation awards. We offer detailed guidance on how to plan an effective awards strategy and successfully apply for awards. The helpful hints included in the paper relate to:
- How to choose which awards to go for and whether to submit a particular technology or innovator for a specific award
- How to be efficient and proactive in pursuing awards
- How to prepare a strong application/nomination package
- How to make the most of the work you’ve done in the submission process, regardless of whether you won
With the increasing urgency for research labs and universities to transition their inventions into the commercial space, awards provide another tool in the toolkit for tech transfer offices to support those efforts. Simply click here to download the awards paper, and then share your tips about going for innovation awards, either by submitting a comment below or by sending me a private message.
