ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – For 35 years, the Collegiate Inventors Competition (CIC) has given student innovators nationwide a chance to showcase their work and compete for top prizes. Now, the entry period for the 2025 competition is officially open.

1. About the Competition and Eligibility

The National Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), invites both undergraduate and graduate students to submit applications. Additionally, this immersive and unique invention competition offers students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase their innovations.

Students’ entries will be evaluated on several key factors, including:

  • Their invention process and level of initiative
  • The originality of their idea
  • Its potential value
  • Usefulness to society

2. What Finalists Can Expect at the Collegiate Inventors Competition

Selected finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Washington, D.C. area to compete. During the two-day event, finalists will:

  • Interact with fellow student innovators
  • Present their inventions to judges, including National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees and USPTO officials
  • Network with judges during the awards ceremony

Winning teams will be honored with cash prizes and a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate.

3. Why Participate in the CIC?

The CIC offers an excellent opportunity for students to advance their inventions to the next level. To learn more and apply, students can visit https://www.invent.org/collegiate-inventors

The application deadline is June 2. The competition will take place October 15-16 at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

4. About the Collegiate Inventors Competition Program

The Collegiate Inventors Competition actively encourages and drives innovation and entrepreneurship at the collegiate level. As a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, it recognizes and rewards the research, innovations, and discoveries made by college students and their advisers. These projects lead to inventions that have the potential to receive patent protection. Since its introduction in 1990, the competition has awarded cash prizes to students. Thanks to its sponsors, it continues to celebrate innovative work and scientific achievement.

For more information, visit invent.org/events/cic-event.

Final Thoughts

The Collegiate Inventors Competition is a fantastic platform for student inventors to gain recognition and take meaningful steps toward bringing their ideas to market. If you’re a student with a groundbreaking invention, don’t miss this opportunity to apply.

Visit mitechnews.com for more updates.

FAQs

Who can enter the Collegiate Inventors Competition?

Both undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States are eligible to submit their inventions.

What criteria are used to judge entries?

Entries are judged on the invention process, initiative, originality, potential value, and usefulness to society.

When and where does the competition take place?

The competition is held October 15-16 at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.