WASHINGTON – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations for the 2021 National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI).
The NMTI is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement
and is presented to recipients by the President of the United States at a
White House ceremony.
“By highlighting the national importance of technological innovation,
this medal is meant to inspire future generations to prepare for and
pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global
technology and economic leadership,” said Drew Hirshfeld, performing the
functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “The USPTO is honored
to help celebrate the best minds in American innovation whose creations
have improved our world.”
The medal is awarded to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), and
companies or divisions of companies for their outstanding contributions
to the nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being through
the development and commercialization of technological products,
processes and concepts, technological innovation, and strengthening the
nation’s technological workforce.
Anyone can nominate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination
form and letters of support. Applicants must submit all nominations by
11:59 p.m. ET, July 30, 2021. Nominations of candidates from
traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Detailed information about the nomination guidelines, a preview of the nomination questions, and a link to the nomination form is available on the NMTI webpage. For more information about the award and nomination process, please contact nmti@uspto.gov.
NMTI staff will hold a webinar to answer questions about the award and
the nomination process on June 2 at noon ET. For more information and to
register, please visit the event page on the USPTO website.