Nominations for National Medal of Technology and Innovation due July 30

 USPTO Alert

Nominations for National Medal of Technology and Innovation due July 30

The 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, bestowed by the President of the United States.

The medal is awarded to individuals, teams, and 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 of the nation’s technological workforce.

Anyone can nominate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination form and letters of support. Applicants must complete nominations before midnight ET on July 30. We invite a wide range of submissions that will demonstrate the breadth of innovation taking place throughout the United States. Nominations of candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

For more information, view a recording of the June 2 webinar about the nomination process or visit the NMTI webpage on the USPTO website.

June 2 webinar on NMTI nomination process

The 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, bestowed by the President of the United States. To learn more about the nomination process, attend our webinar on Wednesday, June 2, at noon ET.

Anyone can nominate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination form and letters of support. Applicants must complete nominations before midnight ET on July 30. We invite a wide range of submissions that will demonstrate the breadth of innovation taking place throughout the United States. Nominations of candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

For more information, and to attend the June 2 webinar about the nomination process, please visit the NMTI webpage on the USPTO website.

Nominations sought for prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation

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.

Submit NMTI nominations; informational webinar now available

NMTI nomination deadline extended to May 1

USPTO is seeking nominations for the 2020 National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI). The NMTI is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the President of the United States. A recorded webinar with detailed information is now available.

Anyone can nominate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination form and letters of support. Applicants must complete nominations before midnight ET, April 3. We invite a wide range of submissions that will demonstrate the incredible breadth of innovation taking place throughout the United States. Nominations of candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

For more information, please visit the NMTI webpage on the USPTO website.

Now accepting National Medal of Technology and Innovation nominations

USPTO is seeking nominations for the 2020 National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI). The NMTI is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States.

The medal is awarded to individuals, teams, and 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 of the nation’s technological workforce.

Anyone can nominate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination form and letters of support. Applicants must complete nominations before midnight ET, April 3. Nominations of candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

For more information, and to register for a February 26 webinar about the nomination process, please visit the NMTI webpage on the USPTO website.

Nominations for National Medal of Technology and Innovation

According to a Jan. 13, 2016 press release, the nomination period is open until April 1 for the  2016 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The President presents the medal each year to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), companies, or divisions of companies for their outstanding contributions to America's economic, environmental, and social well-being. "The purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to strengthening the nation's technological workforce."

More information is available from the USPTO's National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) home page.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nominations

Nominations for the 2011 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to be awarded by the President of the United States are due March 31, 2011 by 5 p.m. (ET). "The Medal is awarded annually to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), companies or divisions of companies for their outstanding contributions to America’s economic, environmental and social well-being." More information about the requirements is available at http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/index.jsp. Guidelines and nomination forms are available at http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/guidelines.jsp.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee

[Federal Register: February 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 35)]
[Notices][Page 8043-8044]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe10-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO-C-2010-0002]

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider nominations received in response to this notice as well as from other sources. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.

DATES: Please submit nominations within 60 days of the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted to Richard Maulsby, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. Nominations also may be submitted via fax: (571) 270-9100 or by electronic mail to: nmti@uspto.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Maulsby, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313- 1450, telephone (571) 272-8333, or electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The committee was established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 2). The following provides information about the committee and membership:

• Committee members are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. The committee provides advice to the Secretary on the implementation of Public Law 96-480 (15 U.S.C. 3711), as amended August 9, 2007.
  
• The committee functions solely as an advisory body under the FACA. Members are appointed to the 12-member committee for a term of three years. Each will be reevaluated at the
  [[Page 8044]]
  conclusion of the three-year term with the prospect of renewal, pending advisory committee needs and the Secretary's concurrence. Selection of membership is made in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines.
  
• Members are responsible for reviewing nominations and making recommendations for the Nation's highest honor for technological innovation, awarded annually by the President of the United States.
  
• Members of the committee must have an understanding of, and experience in, developing and utilizing technological innovation and/or be familiar with the education, training, employment and management of technological manpower.
  
• Under the FACA, membership on a committee must be balanced. To achieve balance, the Department is seeking additional nominations of candidates from small, medium sized, and large businesses or with special expertise in the following sub-sectors of the technology enterprise:
  Medical Innovations/Bioengineering and Biomedical Technology;
  Technology Management/Computing/IT/Manufacturing Innovation;
  Technological Manpower/Workforce Training/Education.
  
• Committee members generally are Chief Executive Officers or former Chief Executive Officers, former winners of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation; presidents or distinguished faculty of universities; or senior executives of non-profit organizations. As such, they not only offer the stature of their positions but also possess intimate knowledge of the forces determining future directions for their organizations and industries. The committee as a whole is balanced in representing geographical, professional, and diverse interests.

Nomination Information:
Nominees must be United States citizens, must be able to fully participate in meetings pertaining to the review and selection of finalists for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and must uphold the confidential nature of an independent peer review and competitive selection process.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse committee membership.

Dated: February 16, 2010.
David J. Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2010-3398 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination

[Federal Register: March 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 52)]
[Notices][Page 11717-11718]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

To see the complete commment request access: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2009_register&docid=fr19mr09-40

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination
Application

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Medal of Technology is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. Established by an Act of Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. The Medal is given annually to individuals, teams, and/or companies/divisions for their outstanding contributions to the Nation's economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technology products, processes and concepts, technological innovation, and development of the Nation's technological manpower.

The purpose of the National Medal of Technology is to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation's technological workforce. By highlighting the national importance of technological innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee, a distinguished, independent committee appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, reviews and evaluates the merit of all candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process. The committee makes its recommendations for Medal candidates to the Secretary of Commerce, who in turn makes recommendations to the
President for final selection. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates are announced by the White House and the Department of Commerce once the Medalists are notified of their selection.

The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual's or company's extraordinary leadership and innovation in technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by six letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).


II. Method of Collection

The nomination application and instructions can be downloaded from the USPTO Web site. Nomination files should be submitted by electronic mail. Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be sent by electronic mail, fax or overnight delivery.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee

[Federal Register: January 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 5)]
[Notices][Page 800-801]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08ja09-20]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO-C-2008-0058]

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office.

ACTION: Notice and request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider nominations received in response to this notice as well as from other sources. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.
[[Page 801]]

DATES: Please submit nominations within 60 days of the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted to Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. Nominations also may be submitted via fax: (571) 270-9100 or by electronic mail to: nmti@uspto.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450, telephone (571) 272-7640, or electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The committee was established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 2). The following provides information about the committee and membership:

Committee members are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. The committee provides advice to the Secretary on the implementation of Public Law 96-480 (15 U.S.C.3711), as amended August 9, 2007.

The committee functions solely as an advisory body under the FACA. Members are appointed to the 12-member committee for a term of three years. Each will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the three-year term with the prospect of renewal, pending advisory committee needs and the Secretary's concurrence. Selection of membership is made in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce
guidelines.

Members are responsible for reviewing nominations and making recommendations for the Nation's highest honor for technological innovation, awarded annually by the President of the United States.

Members of the committee must have an understanding of, and experience in, developing and utilizing technological innovation and/or be familiar with the education, training, employment and management of technological manpower.

Under the FACA, membership on a committee must be balanced. To achieve balance, the Department is seeking additional nominations of candidates from small, medium-sized, and large businesses or with special expertise in the following sub-sectors of the technology enterprise:
Medical Innovations/Bioengineering and Biomedical Technology/Technology
Management/Computing/IT/Manufacturing Innovation/Technological
Manpower/Workforce Training/Education

Committee members generally are Chief Executive Officers or former Chief Executive Officers; former winners of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation; presidents or distinguished faculty of universities; or senior executives of non-profit organizations. As such, they not only offer the stature of their positions but also possess intimate knowledge of the forces determining future directions for their organizations and industries. The committee as a whole is balanced in representing geographical, professional, and diverse interests.

Nomination Information:
Nominees must be United States citizens, must be able to fully participate in meetings pertaining to the review and selection of finalists for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and must uphold the confidential nature of an independent peer review and competitive selection process.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse committee membership.

Date: December 2, 2008.
Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. E9-104 Filed 1-7-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-16-P

Federal Register - National Medal of Technology & Innovations Nominations

[Federal Register: January 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 5)]
[Notices][Page 801-802]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08ja09-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO-C-2008-0059]

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Call for 2009
Nominations
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office.
ACTION: Notice and request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is accepting nominations for its National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) program. Since establishment by Congress in 1980, the President of the United States has awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (formerly known as the National Medal of Technology) annually to our Nation's leading innovators. If you know of a candidate who has made an outstanding, lasting contribution to the economy through the promotion of technology or technological manpower, you may obtain a nomination form from: http://www.uspto.gov/nmti.

Eligibility and Criteria: Information on eligibility and nomination criteria is provided on the Nominations Guidelines Form at http://www.uspto.gov/nmti.

DATES: The deadline for submission of an application is May 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The NMTI Nomination form for the year 2009 may be obtained by visiting the Web site at http://www.uspto.gov/nmti. Nomination applications should be submitted to Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, by electronic mail to: NMTI@uspto.gov or by mail to: Jennifer Lo, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450, telephone (571) 272-7640, or electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Enacted by Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. On August 9, 2007, the President signed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007. The Act amended section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, changing the name of the Medal to the ``National Medal of Technology and Innovation.'' The Medal is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators in the field of technology, and is given annually to individuals, teams, or companies who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology or technological manpower for the improvement of the economic, environmental or social well-being of the United States.

The primary purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is to recognize American innovators whose vision, creativity, and brilliance in moving ideas to market have had a profound and lasting impact on our economy and way of life. The Medal highlights the national importance of [[Page 802]]fostering technological innovation based upon solid science, resulting in commercially successful products and services.

Dated: December 2, 2008. Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. E9-102 Filed 1-7-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-16-P

Federal Register - Technology/Innovation Medal Application

[Federal Register: December 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 241)]
[Notices][Page 76003]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de08-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Title: National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Agency Approval Number: 0651-00xx.
Type of Request: New collection.
Burden: 40 hours annually.
Number of Respondents: 1,600 responses per year.

Avg. Hours per Response: 40 hours. The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 40 hours to gather and prepare the necessary information, and submit the information to the USPTO.

Needs and Uses: The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual's or company's extraordinary leadership and innovation in technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by at least six letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).

Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-profit.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: Nicholas A. Fraser, e-mail: Nicholas.A.Fraser@omb.eop.gov. Once submitted, the request will be publically available in electronic format through the Information Collection Review page at www.reginfo.gov.

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by any of the following methods:

E-mail: Susan.Fawcett@uspto.gov. Include ``0651-00xx National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application copy request'' in the subject line of the message.

Fax: 571-273-0112, marked to the attention of Susan K.Fawcett.

Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Customer Information Services Group, Public Information Services Division, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent on or before January 14, 2009 to Nicholas.A.Fraser@omb.eop.gov or by fax (202) 395-5167, marked to the attention of Nicholas A. Fraser.

Dated: December 8, 2008.

Susan K. Fawcett,Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer,
Customer Information Services Group, Public Information Services Division.

[FR Doc. E8-29636 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
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Federal Register Closed Meeting - National Medal of Technology and Innovation

[Federal Register: November 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 230)]
[Notices][Page 72453]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28no08-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO-C-2008-0056]

National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee Meeting
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office.
ACTION: Notice of closed meeting.

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SUMMARY: The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI)Nomination Evaluation Committee will meet in closed session on Monday, December 15, 2008. The primary purpose of the meeting is the discussion of relative merits of persons and companies nominated for the NMTI award.

DATES: The meeting will convene Monday, December 15, 2008, at 9 a.m., and adjourn at 1 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, telephone (571) 272-7640, or by electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given that the NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee, United States Patent and Trademark Office, will meet at the United States Patent and Trademark Office campus in Alexandria, Virginia.

The NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee was established in accordance with the provisions of the NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee's charter and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with section 552b(c)(4), (6) and (9)(B) of Title 5, United States Code, because it will involve discussion of relative merits of persons and companies nominated for the NMTI. Public disclosure of this information would likely frustrate implementation of the NMTI program because premature publicity about candidates under consideration for the NMTI award, who may or may not ultimately receive the award, would be likely to discourage nominations for the award. The Secretary of Commerce is responsible for recommending to the President prospective NMTI recipients. The NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee makes its recommendations for the NMTI candidates to the Secretary of Commerce, who in turn makes recommendations to the President for final selection.

NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee members are drawn from both the public and private sectors and are appointed by the Secretary for three-year terms, with eligibility for one reappointment. The NMTI Nomination Evaluation Committee members are composed of distinguished experts in the fields of science, technology, business and patent law.

The General Counsel formally determined on November 21, 2008, pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that the meeting may be closed because Committee members are concerned with matters that are within the purview of 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4), (6) and (9)(B). Due to closure of the meeting, copies of the minutes of the meeting will not be available. A copy of the determination is available for public inspection at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Dated: November 21, 2008.
Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

[FR Doc. E8-28254 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-16-P

National Medal of Technology

[Federal Register: October 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 192)]
[Notices][Page 57337-57338]
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application

ACTION: New collection; comment request.
The complete comment request is available at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2008_register&docid=fr02oc08-39

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this new information collection (as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.3506(c)(2)(A)).


DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 1,2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• E-mail: Susan.Fawcett@uspto.gov. Include ``0651-00xx NMTI collection comment'' in the subject line of the message.
  
• Fax: 571-273-0112, marked to the attention of Susan K.Fawcett.
  
• Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Customer Information Services Group, Public Information Services Division, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

I. Abstract

The Competes Act of 2007 abolished the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce as of August 9, 2007 (sec. 3002). The administration and nomination processing for the National Medal of Technology has been officially transferred by the Commerce Secretary to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The USPTO is requesting the approval of the new version of the former Technology Administration's nomination form to be officially incorporated into the USPTO information collection inventory.

The National Medal of Technology is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. Established by an Act of Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. The Medal is given annually to individuals, teams, and/or companies/divisions for their outstanding contributions to the Nation's economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technology products, processes and concepts, technological innovation, and development of the Nation's
technological manpower.

The purpose of the National Medal of Technology is to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation's technological workforce. By highlighting the national importance of technological innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee, a distinguished, independent committee appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, reviews and evaluates the merit of all candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process. The committee makes its recommendations for Medal candidates to the Secretary of Commerce, who in turn makes recommendations to the President for final selection. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates are announced by the White House and the Department of Commerce once the Medalists are notified of their selection.

The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual's or company's extraordinary leadership and innovation in technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by six letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).