Applications for National Innovation Awards Extended to September 30
By: September 14, 2016 ,The Key Point:
The Facts
- “We do not only want the schools and universities, but we want the communities and the man in the street to understand that he has some knowledge to share,” Professor Morrison noted.
- Awardees and outstanding innovators have the opportunity to win cash prizes as well as support from the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) ) and other partners to develop the idea and bring it to a commercial level.
The Full Story
The application deadline for the National Innovation Awards has been extended to September 30, 2016.
The biennial awards ceremony, which is scheduled for November 16, 2016, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, will recognise excellence in technology and innovation, and creativity in various areas of science.
Director General at the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), Professor Errol Morrison, is inviting innovators in various fields to apply.
“It does not matter what (field you are in), let us see what you are doing,” he urged while addressing a JIS Think Tank on September 13.
“We do not only want the schools and universities, but we want the communities and the man in the street to understand that he has some knowledge to share,” he noted.
Professor Morrison said the awards committee is, “very interested in work from the youth, as they are revolutionary in their own way and are not constrained by the old-fashioned way of doing things”.
He told JIS News that the judges will travel to view and assess the innovation if it is too large to transport.
He said that even if the project is unfinished, persons can still submit the application and the NCST will recommend the necessary support agencies that can aid in its completion.
Awardees and outstanding innovators have the opportunity to win cash prizes as well as support from the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) and other partners to develop the idea and bring it to a commercial level.
“One of the post-award activities is to bring the shortlisted entrants together with potential investors,” Professor Morrison told JIS News.
He is reminding applicants to protect their work by consulting with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) before submitting applications. All application forms must bear the JIPO seal. Applications should be addressed to:
Mrs. Andrea Kerr, Coordinator, Innovation Awards Secretariat, Executive Director’s Office, Scientific Research Council.
P.O. Box 350, Hope Gardens, Kingston 6.
For further information, interested persons may visit www.src.gov.jm.
The National Innovation Awards involves collaboration with the Scientific Research Council.
Previous award categories include agriculture, food and agro processing, education and popularisation of science, technology and innovation, energy and cyber security.