Gamechanger Award Nomination Criteria

Awarded for the previous year’s most impactful product to market. The invention must have been translated into a new or improved technology, product or service which has been put into public use and has (a) improved societal well-being, (b) provided economic benefit to the region or state, and/or (c) advanced scientific understanding in their field.

Part I

Fill in basic identification information:

  • Nominee Full Name
  • Nominee Title/Role
  • Nominee institution
  • Nominee Department
  • Nominee Office Email
  • Nominee Office Phone Number

Part II

Section 1

Please describe specific examples of how the Nominee's product, service, creative work, policy or other innovation has demonstrated significant societal impact during the previous calendar year

Overall Weight: 50%

Section 1 Questions

  • 1.1 How has the innovation solved a problem?
  • 1.2 What has been the impact on community needs and which populations have been affected?
  • 1.3 How is the impact measured?
  • 1.4 How does the innovation differ from what is available today?
  • 1.5 Have you received independent recognition of the innovation’s value? Please explain

Section 2

Please describe the economic benefit the innovation has provided to the region or state during the previous calendar year

Weight: 20%

Include metrics for commercial or non-commercial applications where applicable such as:

  • Commercial Application: revenue generated, jobs created, etc.
  • Non-Commercial Application: some measure of public consumption such as sales and/or performances of creative works, exhibit attendees/visitors, clients serviced, policies/positions adopted, etc.

Section 2 Questions

  • 2.1 Please describe the economic benefit and how it is measured?
  • 2.2 Given the innovation is under a UC license, how much has been paid to UC in the form of fees, royalties, and other forms of consideration?
  • 2.3 How much funding has been raised from private capital, endowments, grants (including UC Proof of Concept Grants), contracts, philanthropic gifts, and other sources?

Section 3

How has the Nominee's work advanced scientific understanding in their field during the previous calendar year?

Overall Weight: 20%

Section 3 Questions

  • 3.1 Number of publications, publication citations including patents and patent citations, performances, exhibitions and other evidence of public consumption
  • 3.2 Media exposure for the company and the product
  • 3.3 Recognition in the form of awards and/or other public recognition

Section 4

Explain how the Nominee's innovation aligns with the UC’s commitment to fairness

Overall Weight: 10%

Section 4 Questions

  • 4.1 How does the research align with the mission of the University of California?
  • 4.2 How does the research align with the values of the community?

Section 5

Supporting Materials (unclassified information only)

The following will not be scored on its own merits but will be reflected in the Reviewers’ scores

  • Please provide any other justification from the previous calendar year – that is not addressed in the above – as the why you should be considered for this award (including UC Proof of Concept Grants)
  • Please attach a PDF copy of an email or other document from your Chancellor's or Lab Director's Office confirming you are their nominee for this award
  • Please provide a link to a 90-second video (YouTube or Vimeo) describing your innovation, why you are deserving of the award, and how this award will impact your ongoing work
  • Please attach any relevant supporting documents, dated within the last 12 months, which may include
    • Press releases
    • Awards and recognitions, especially from professional peers outside the UC system
    • Patents
    • Publications
    • Letters of support (max 3) from parties outside the UC system
    • Other forms of recognition that support the nomination
  • Please attach a PDF copy of a letter on your campus / national lab letterhead, signed and dated by you
    • The certificate shall state, "I certify that the information provided in this nomination package is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge, and I acknowledge and agree that all materials submitted as part of this nomination may be used and repurposed by the University of California for communications and promotional activities" Choose a file to upload or drag and drop here

Section 6

Submitted By

  • Full Name
  • Title
  • Organisation
  • Campus / National Lab