R&D 100 Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a technology that may be qualified to win a 2012 “Oscar of Invention,” otherwise known as an R&D 100 Award?

For 48 years, these prestigious awards have been helping companies provide the important initial push a new product needs to compete successfully in the marketplace. Winning an R&D 100 Award provides a mark of excellence known to industry, government, and academia as proof that the product is one of the 100 most innovative ideas of the past year in the world. A panel of 50 outside technical experts and the editors of R&D Magazine select winners on the basis of their technical importance and usefulness.

TT Division will cover the cost for professional assistance with your entry package development.

Is my technology eligible for submission?
Any new product, process, material, software, or system that has shown demonstrable technological significance compared with competing products or processes during the 2011 calendar year is eligible for the 2012 competition. Previously submitted technologies that can claim a significant advance or partnership development in 2011 may qualify for resubmission. Proof-of-concept models are viewed skeptically by the judges and should not be entered until they are developed to a more advanced stage.

Who can help me with my submission?
Writer-editors and designers on the Communication Arts & Services (IRM-CAS) R&D 100 production team work closely with entrants to build compelling arguments to convey the importance and usefulness of their innovations. In addition to covering the costs associated with this professional support, TT Division coordinates the Laboratory’s participation in the competition and has staff available to help potential participants determine a fair market value for their proposed technology.

How do I enter?
Potential participants should follow these steps:

1. If your technology fits competition requirements, a follow-up one-on-one meeting will be arranged to provide guidance to prepare a first draft submission in accordance with the judging criteria.
2. Complete the comparison matrix (doc). Donna Berg of TT Division can provide assistance with developing the matrix. Please also review the 10 Most Common R&D 100 Questions and How To Win An R&D 100 Award. Email your matrix to Kim Sherwood and Octavio Ramos by COB October 24, 2011. The completed matrix will be reviewed by the R&D 100 committee for completeness, appropriateness of the technology for the competition, and how the technology compares with existing technologies in the field.
   
3. Contact Kim Sherwood if you have general questions about the competition. Contact Octavio Ramos if you have questions for the IRM-CAS R&D 100 production team.

How does the Laboratory benefit?
Participation in the R&D 100 Award competition is an opportunity for us to showcase the Laboratory’s contributions to U.S. industrial competitiveness. R&D 100 Award winners enhance the Laboratory’s image as a leader in technological innovation and help create new opportunities to build our intellectual property portfolios. These portfolios enable us to share our resources with society and create new avenues for us to transfer our knowledge through licenses and collaborations that enhance our research base. All participants have the opportunity to work with TT staff to advance commercial development of their technologies.

Since 1995, Los Alamos has realized significant R&D funding as the result of winning innovations. For example, Work for Others agreements associated with winners have brought approximately $11 million for funded research into the Laboratory; cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) have contributed more than $48 million toward research endeavors; and new licenses for technology commercialization have brought over $3 million in royalty income into the Laboratory.

What if I am a member of a team with another lab or an industry partner that is submitting an entry?

If you are part of a multi-lab or lab-industry team that is preparing an R&D 100 submission, please keep us informed about the status of the entry. Contact Kim Sherwood at 5-1305, and let her know you are a participant. If your team wins an award in July 2011, we need to know immediately so that your entry can be announced together with the other LANL entries. LANL sends out a news release as soon as all winners have been informed. We want all of our winners to be part of this! (See Call for timeline.)

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