USPTO Seeks Nominations for National Medal of Technology & Innovation

The is awarded for contributions to the nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being——through tech products, tech innovation, and strengthening America's tech workforce.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office announced that it’s looking for nominations for the 2023 National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, to be bestowed by President Biden.

“The recipients of this medal have improved our daily lives and have changed our world for the better,” Kathi Vidal, undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, said in a statement. “We’re inspired by their creativity and ingenuity and know that they will serve as an inspiration for others to innovate, create, and pursue their dreams.”

“Now, more than ever, we need to incentivize and protect more innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity, and bring them all to impact to solve world problems and increase American competitiveness,” Vidal added. “We welcome all nominations, including those from underrepresented communities whose ideas have advanced us as a society and a nation.”

Medal is awarded for contributions to the nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is awarded to individuals, teams, and companies for outstanding contributions to the nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being via the development and commercialization of technological products, processes and concepts, technological innovation, and strengthening of the nation’s technological workforce.

Dallas is an important piece of the USPTO network. The Texas Regional Office, which opened in 2015, is in the Terminal Annex Federal Building in downtown Dallas. It serves the Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas regions.

The agency said that anyone can nominate a candidate for the NMTI by submitting the online nomination form and letters of support.

Applicants must complete nominations before midnight ET on May 26, the USPTO said. The USPTO said it encourages nominations of candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups.

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