Criteria

The Tech Museum Awards program inspires global engagement in applying technology to humanity's most pressing problems by recognizing individuals, organizations, and companies that are utilizing innovative technology solutions to address the most urgent issues facing our planet.

The Tech Laureates are profoundly improving the human condition through the use of technology. It is the goal of The Tech Museum Awards to showcase their compelling stories and reward their brilliant accomplishments.

Nominations and applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

The technology application significantly improves the human condition in one of the five award areas: economic development, education, environment, equality, or health.
A serious problem or challenge with global significance is addressed by this use of technology.
The application of this technology, which may be either a new invention or an innovative use of an existing technology, makes a noteworthy contribution that surpasses previous or current solutions.
The technology application has the potential to serve as an inspiration or model for further innovation.
The technology application is in the field and has demonstrated a measurable benefit.

Additional Guidelines

Nominators and Applicants may submit their nomination/application in one category only.
Tech Award Laureates, including those named as category winners, are ineligible for The Tech Awards in the year immediately following the one in which they are honored but may apply in subsequent years for technological innovations different from the one(s) for which they were already recognized.
Individuals not recognized in a given year may reapply in subsequent year and - with continued progress and evidence of impact - are encouraged to do so.
Nominations and applications must be submitted on-line in English.
Laureates must commit to be present at all 2008 Tech Awards Events, starting Monday afternoon, November 10th through Thursday morning November 13th in San Jose, CA, USA.
The purpose of awarding the $50,000 cash prizes is to contribute to solutions for the urgent challenges that The Tech Awards address. To promote the values of the Awards program and sustain the high level of credibility of both the Laureates and the Awards program, The Tech requires that highly-funded Laureates designate another beneficiary as the recipient of the actual cash.

Deadlines

Nominations for the 2009 Tech Museum Awards will be accepted through March 27, 2009.