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Innovation Awards Program

Launched in fall 2025, the CALS Research and Innovation Office (RIO) is excited to offer the innovation awards program. 

This program supports the college’s Roadmap to 2050 strategic plan and to transform college innovation for intellectual novelty, commercial application, economic development and real world impact.

Multiple awards are created to recognize and celebrate outstanding innovation achievements by faculty, staff, students, industry partners, alumni and collaborating agencies. These awards aim to encourage creative problem-solving, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and meaningful engagement between CALS and external stakeholders.

Acknowledge excellence.

Nominations accepted July 1 - September 1, 2025.

Awards

Best Patent and Technology Award

Recognizes faculty or staff for securing a patent or developing a novel technology with significant commercial and industrial impacts.

Current CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE) or staff employed at CALS or retired within a year who have received a US or international patent or developed a licensable technology with the past three years.

Your nomination needs to include the following: 

  • Nomination Form: Must be completed and submitted by the primary nominator of CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE). No self-nomination will be accepted.
  • PDF Nomination Package containing the following (to be attached when submitting above form) :
    • Nomination Statement
      1. Title: Brief description (e.g., patent name or project title)
      2. Scope and Problem Addressed (~200 words): Describe the context, goals, and societal or industry problem targeted by innovation.
      3. Key Achievements & Innovations (~400 words): Highlight significant milestones, technological advances, or unique contributions.
      4. Impact & Significance (~300 words): Provide examples of observed or potential impact (economic, scientific, societal, etc.).
    • Supporting Letters - Two letters of support from independent and knowledgeable colleagues must be uploaded to the website by the primary nominator.
  • Award Impact Outline  - please follow this specific outline in your document.
  1. Patent Submission Requirements:
    1. Patent Number
    2. Patent Title
    3. Issue Date, Issuing Agency, and Geographic Scope
    4. Estimated Market Size and Societal Impact
    5. Industry Engagement Status and Licensee Information
  2. Technology Submission Requirements:
    1. Name and Scope of Technology
    2. Scientific and Innovative Contributions
    3. Licensee Status, User Information, and Field Application
    4. Market Size, Economic Value, and Societal Impact

Best Entrepreneurship and Engagement Award

Honors faculty or staff for successfully transferring novel technology to industry or external partners, for establishing a successful startup based on innovative research or technology developed in CALS or for exceptional commitment to foster innovation and transformation of technology in communities.

Current CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE) or staff employed at CALS or retired

within a year who have established a startup company (or business) or made major impact on improving economic, ecological, and societal status of a given community within the past three years. 

Your nomination needs to include the following: 

  • Nomination Form: Must be completed and submitted by the primary nominator of CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE). No self-nomination will be accepted.
  • PDF Nomination Package containing the following (to be attached when submitting above form):
    • Nomination Statement
      1. Title: Brief description (e.g., patent name or project title)
      2. Scope and Problem Addressed (~200 words): Describe the context, goals, and societal or industry problem targeted by innovation.
      3. Key Achievements & Innovations (~400 words): Highlight significant milestones, technological advances, or unique contributions.
      4. Impact & Significance (~300 words): Provide examples of observed or potential impact (economic, scientific, societal, etc.).
    • Supporting Letters - Two letters of support from independent and knowledgeable colleagues must be uploaded to the website by the primary nominator.
  • Award Impact Outline - please follow this specific outline in your document.
  1. Startup Details:
  2. Name, Location, and Year of Incorporation
  3. Connection to CALS IP
  4. Business Partners and Potential
  5. Economic and Social Impacts
  6. Engagement Project Details:
  7. Project Name and Scope
  8. Community Name and Location
  9. Specific Services or Activities Provided
  10. Documented Outcomes and Impact

Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Recognizes an undergrad or graduate student who has launched a business or established intellectual property while at Cornell.

Current CALS undergraduate or graduate students, recent graduates (within one year), postdoctoral fellows, and visiting students who have established a startup company (or business) or made major contributions to CALS’ patent or technology development within the past three years. 

Your nomination needs to include the following: 

  • Nomination Form: Must be completed and submitted by the primary nominator of CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE). No self-nomination will be accepted.
  • PDF Nomination Package containing the following (to be attached when submitting above form):
    • Nomination Statement
      1. Title: Brief description (e.g., patent name or project title)
      2. Scope and Problem Addressed (~200 words): Describe the context, goals, and societal or industry problem targeted by innovation.
      3. Key Achievements & Innovations (~400 words): Highlight significant milestones, technological advances, or unique contributions.
      4. Impact & Significance (~300 words): Provide examples of observed or potential impact (economic, scientific, societal, etc.).
    • Supporting Letters - Two letters of support from independent and knowledgeable colleagues must be uploaded to the website by the primary nominator.
    • Award Impact Outline - please follow this specific outline in your document.
  1. Name and Scope of Business or Startup
  2. Name and Scope of Patent or Technology
  3. Nominee’s Role in Invention or Development (including licensing)
  4. Incorporation Status, Economic, and Social Impact

Best Partnership Award

Recognizes a company that has significantly contributed to innovation in collaboration with the college, an alumnus who has made significant contribution to promoting the college innovation portfolio or an agency on or off campus for impactful collaboration in supporting CALS innovation.

Open to industrial or private sponsors and collaborators, CALS/Cornell alumni, and federal or non-federal agencies (including Cornell partners) who have made major contributions to supporting, promoting, and leading CALS’ innovation within the past three years. 

Your nomination needs to include the following: 

  • Nomination Form: Must be completed and submitted by the primary nominator of CALS faculty (all ranks, including RTE). No self-nomination will be accepted.
  • PDF Nomination Package containing the following (to be attached when submitting above form):
    • Nomination Statement
      1. Title: Brief description (e.g., patent name or project title)
      2. Scope and Problem Addressed (~200 words): Describe the context, goals, and societal or industry problem targeted by innovation.
      3. Key Achievements & Innovations (~400 words): Highlight significant milestones, technological advances, or unique contributions.
      4. Impact & Significance (~300 words): Provide examples of observed or potential impact (economic, scientific, societal, etc.).
    • Supporting Letters - Two letters of support from independent and knowledgeable colleagues must be uploaded to the website by the primary nominator.
    • Award Impact Outline - please follow this specific outline in your document.
  1. Name, Title and Affiliation of Individual or Organization
  2. Major Contribution to CALS Innovation
  3. Demonstrated Impact on CALS Innovation
  4. Potential for Continued Collaboration 

Selection Criteria

Each award will be evaluated based on the following general criteria:

  • Novelty & Creativity: The originality of the idea, technology or approach.
  • Impact & Significance: The potential or realized contribution to industry, society or academia.
  • Implementation & Scalability: The feasibility, scalability, and adoption of the innovation.
  • Collaboration & Engagement: The extent of partnerships or interdisciplinary cooperation involved.
  • Sustainability & Ethical Considerations: The long-term sustainability and ethical implications of the innovation.

Selection Process

  1. Nomination Submission: Nomination package needs to be submitted by a CALS faculty member with two supporting letters by July 1 to September 1, 2025.
  2. Screening Committee Review: A committee comprising faculty, industry experts and innovation leaders will review nominations based on the criteria.
  3. Final Evaluation: Shortlisted nominees will be evaluated by a distinguished panel, including the Dean, the College senior leadership team and external experts.
  4. Announcement & Recognition: Winners will be announced at a dedicated award ceremony and featured in college publications on October 7, 2025.

Award Benefits

  • Recognition at the college’s innovation or awards ceremony
  • Certificate of achievement and a commemorative trophy/plaque
  • Potential funding or mentorship support for further innovation development
  • Media exposure and networking opportunities with industry and academia

This awards program will serve as a catalyst for fostering a culture of innovation, recognizing achievements and inspiring future innovators within the college and beyond.