Applications Open for 2026 National Science, Technology and Innovation Awards

Applications are now open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Medal for Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Innovation Awards, under the theme, ‘Science Solves’.

Principal Director of Science at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Dr. Natwaine Gardner, told a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Thursday (August 20) that the Awards are a key component of the Government’s efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

“They are intended, not only to recognise excellence but to also encourage more Jamaicans to use science, technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship to solve national problems and generate economic and social value,” she said.

“The Awards have two components… the first is the Prime Minister’s National Medal for Science and Technology and Innovation, [which] represents one of the highest forms of national recognition in this field,” Dr. Gardner explained.

The second component is the National Innovation Awards, which recognise outstanding innovations across nine categories.

These include Food Systems, Agriculture and Bioproduction; Energy, Climate Resilience and Environmental Solutions; Manufacturing, Engineering and Industrial Solutions; Digital Transformation and Information and Communications Technology; Health, Wellness and Social Innovation; Creative Industries, Tourism and Cultural Innovation; and Education, Skills and Human Capital Development.

There is also a Youth Innovator category that will recognise groundbreaking frontier science innovations with the potential to transform lives in Jamaica.

“The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate scientists, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, institutions and other innovators who are developing solutions with the potential to improve lives, increase productivity and strengthen Jamaica’s competitiveness,” Dr. Gardner noted.

She further pointed out that the programme will send a clear message to Jamaica’s young people that careers in these fields are valuable.

“An important objective of the awards is to help close the gap between innovation and commercialisation. A good idea becomes even more valuable when it can be developed into a viable product, a service or an enterprise. This will create opportunities for employment, investment, exports and economic growth,” the Principal Director stated.

Dr. Gardner said this year’s programme forms part of the ongoing effort to revamp Jamaica’s innovation ecosystem.

“It’s not merely the presentation of awards but it is the start of ensuring that the innovation ecosystem is a place where Jamaica’s premier research and development can take place. The National Medal and Innovation Awards will be the premier platform for identifying, showcasing, and supporting homegrown innovation,” she noted.

“Jamaicans are naturally creative and they’re innovative. However, many promising ideas remain relatively unknown and do not receive the proper recognition that they should get. The awards address this by giving innovators a credible platform through which their work can be recognised and promoted,” Dr. Gardner added.

Applications can be initiated and submitted through the Innovation Awards section of the Office of the Prime Minister’s website at opm.gov.jm.

“We’ve made it very user-friendly, so persons can go… start the application… pause it [and] come back and complete it. We encourage all Jamaicans to apply and to nominate or share the opportunity with persons or individuals or organisations whose work deserves to be highlighted through national recognition,” Dr. Gardner said.

The application deadline is September 5 at 11:59 p.m.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in November 2026.