The Collegiate Inventors Competition

The Collegiate Inventors Competition (CIC), a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, recognizes and rewards innovations, discoveries and research by college and university students and their faculty advisers. If you are a part-time or full-time student enrolled in a U.S. college or university, you are eligible to enter. You must have been enrolled at least part time between June 2025 and June 2026. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible as long as they are enrolled in a U.S. college or university and can meet student eligibility status, and are legally eligible to provide a completed and signed W-9 prior to payout. Team entries must have all members meet the enrollment criteria. Inventions are ineligible if: (1) they have already been patented or disclosed by another party, or (2) the applicant has held a patent for the invention for more than one year prior to submission. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the event at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Applications must be submitted by June; Finalists are selected in August, and the competition is held in October. Entries for the 2026 competition are closed; check back next spring for information on the 2027 competition. Application Process: 1. Complete the online application form; 2. Provide student information and details of your invention; 3. Submit an essay including a brief description or abstract of your invention; 4. Include a letter of recommendation from a faculty adviser or professional reference; 5. Conduct and provide a literature/patent search and summary; 6. Submit any supporting materials such as charts, graphs, videos, articles, or samples.