How does the competition work?
The competition has 3 phases:
- Launch of the contest and nomination period: nominees are contacted by the Spanish edition of MIT Technology Review in order to confirm their participation and verify any necessary information.
- Evaluation of profiles: The MIT Technology Review consults the assessments of a committee of judges who will evaluate candidates based on the information they have submitted. Beyond the evaluation of the general committee, The MIT Technology Review can request the opinion of other independent professionals who specialize in specific areas during the selection process.
- Publication of winners profiles in the website and presentation in a special event in which winners will have the opportunity to present their projects in front of investors, researchers, and experts in innovation and entrepreneurship, and to enter our community of leaders.
The winners of the regional competitions are automatically presented as candidates in the global edition.
Who can be nominated?
The program is open to youth of all backgrounds. Candidates may come from a university background, be founders of small businesses, or work in large companies, non-profits, or government institutions.
What is the age limit for candidates?
Candidates should be under the age of 35 on December 31, 2015. There is only one exception: female candidates who are under 36 on December 31, 2015 are eligible if they have given birth to one or more children.
What type of technology are you looking for?
We are looking for young people whose successes and personal qualities suggest a strong potential for future impact, based on their accomplishments in the following areas:
- Biotechnology y medicine
- Electronic hardware
- Energy
- Internet and web
- Nanotechnology and materials
- Software
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
Is there a nationality requirement?
The MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 program seeks to reward innovators under the age of 35 wherever they may be, in order to recognize the potential and the hard work of young people worldwide. Candidates should possess the nationality of the country or region in which they will compete, and should possess a valid passport, birth certificate, or National Identity Document.
Who selects the winners?
The MIT Technology Review relies on the assessments of a committee of judges made up of experts from diverse backgrounds. The panel includes entrepreneurs, technologists, and researches from various universities. The list of judges changes each year and will be published along with the list of winners in The MIT Technology Review and on the official web page of the awards.
What are the evaluation criteria?
The judges are given a list of considerations that functions as a guide for their evaluation process. Among factors to consider are: the impact, ingenuity, and audacity of candidates, as well as their entrepreneurial successes (as a measure of their determination to develop new technology), the timeliness of their projects, and their capacity to effectively communicate the relevance of these ideas.
What does the ‘organization’ section mean?
Under the ‘organization’ section of the application you should indicate your place of work or study. You may list various organizations in this section if, for example, you are working while at the same time studying for a degree (such as MBA) or you are a student or professor who has also started a business. Please, do not include your professional associations or previous places of study in this section.
Who should I include under the ‘References’ section?
These references can be advisors, co-workers and bosses, or colleagues from any institution in which the candidate has worked, collaborated, or studied.
These people should be prepared to submit, upon request, a letter of reference (roughly 1 page) in support of the candidate.
What should I include under the section: ‘Description of candidate’?
In this section you should include a brief summary of any works you have completed that are related to this award. Please include an explanation of the impacts of your work thus far, emphasizing the way in which your efforts are working towards solving major societal problems.
Can the person who nominates a candidate also serve as one of their references?
Yes. However, the letter of recommendation must be submitted separately from the letter of nomination.
Does this award include a monetary prize?
The MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 awards do not include a monetary prize for recipients. The awards serve as recognition of the trajectory and potential of ten highly promising young people and their efforts toward developing new technologies. The value of this recognition is the visibility and international prestige that comes with recognition by The MIT Technology Review as innovators in their field of work
More questions?
If you have any additional questions related to the nomination process, please email: [email protected]