Title: Lemelson-MIT Award for 
Sustainability 

Sponsor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

SYNOPSIS: The $100,000 award honors inventors whose products or 
processes impact issues of global relevance, as well as issues that 
impact local communities in terms of meeting basic health needs, and 
building sustainable livelihoods for the world's poorest populations. 

Deadline(s): 10/06/2009 
Established Date: 09/28/2007 
Follow-Up Date: 08/01/2010 
Review Date: 08/31/2009 

Contact: 

Address: Attn: Lemelson-MIT Awards 
MIT School of Engineering 
30 Memorial Dr., E60-215 
Cambridge, MA 02142 U.S.A. 
E-mail: lemelson_awards@mit.edu 
Program URL: http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-award.html 
Tel: 617-253-3352 
Fax: Deadline 
Ind: Receipt 
Deadline Open: No 

Award Type(s): Prizes/Awards 

Citizenship/Country of Applying Institution: U.S. Non-Citizen National 
U.S. Permanent Resident U.S.A. Citizenship (including U.S. Territories) 

Locations Tenable: U.S.A. Institution (including U.S. Territories) 

Appl Type(s): Individual, Non-Specific 

Target Group(s): NONE Funding Limit: $100,000 Duration: 0 Indirect 
Costs: Unspecified Cost Sharing: No Sponsor Type: College/University 

Geo. Restricted: NO RESTRICTIONS 

CFDA#: 

OBJECTIVES: The award honors inventors whose products or processes are 
in areas that impact issues of global relevance, and also issues that 
may have more local significance, such meeting basic human needs and 
building sustainable livelihoods for the world’s poor people. To foster 
technological invention in the area of sustainability, the Lemelson-MIT 
Award for Sustainability celebrates outstanding inventors whose 
technological products or processes collectively: enhance human 
development; mitigate human environmental impact; and/or provide 
adaptations to environmental changes that are unalterable in the near 
term. These types of changes often adversely impact the most vulnerable 
populations. Through their work, successful candidates help to ensure 
effective pathways for global coexistence and the vitality of future 
generations. 

Issues of sustainability in developed and developing countries include 
quality of air, water or soil; or pertain to health, energy, 
agriculture, shelter, biodiversity, or ecosystem management. 

ELIGIBILITY Eligible candidates for the award are the following: U.S. 
citizens, permanent residents, or foreign nationals currently working 
legally in the United States; Inventors who have created a product, 
process or material; made a technology more affordable; redesigned a 
system; or otherwise demonstrated remarkable technological inventiveness 
in addressing sustainability across the development continuum; Inventors 
who can provide evidence that their inventions have been adopted for 
practical use; Inventors working in an area that ultimately improves the 
quality of air, water or soil; or pertains to health, energy, 
agriculture, shelter, biodiversity or ecosystem management; and 
Individuals who are inspirational to young people, through their 
creativity, outreach or mentoring activities. Candidates may be 
individuals or two collaborating inventors, and they must be nominated 
by one of their peers. U.S. patents are not required, but are desirable 
for this award. 

FUNDING The award consists of a prize of $100,000. Winners will be 
invited and encouraged to participate in Lemelson-MIT Program 
activities, including outreach opportunities to inspire young people to 
pursue creative lives and careers in sustainable inventiveness.