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University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships
University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships
Awards

Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award

The Distinguished University Innovator of the Year award honors faculty who have made important and lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research and then translating them to practice. The award was established in 2007 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is supported by endowments from the U-M Office of Research and the Stephen and Rosamund Forrest Family Foundation.

About The Award

Eligibility

A current member of the tenure/tenure track, research, clinical faculty or a team of up to five faculty members.

Award

An honorarium of $5,000 to the individual recipient or shared by the team recipients.

Award Criteria

The Distinguished University Innovator(s) will have accomplished one or more of the following:

  • Developed a breakthrough idea, process or technology and demonstrated its transformational potential relative to an otherwise conventionally accepted practice or market;
  • Taken a significant innovation developed in the University through to market-readiness, either through partnership with a commercial enterprise, licensing a patent or by starting a company;
  • Demonstrated a new method or means for moving innovations from the University into the private sector through the establishment of partnerships or other relationships that promote the strategic or economic position of the region, state or nation.

Announcement of the Award

The award recipient(s) will be announced in the fall. Award recipients must be available to accept the award in person as part of the University’s fall Celebrate Invention event.

Previous Award Recipients

View a list of previous award recipients for the Distinguished University Innovator of the Year award.

 

DUIA Video Playlist

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kevin Ward, the 2024 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award Winner.