UC Regents Innovation Awards

On November 19, 2025, the Regents launched the UC Regents Innovation Awards in pursuit of two objectives:

• To further encourage the UC community of faculty and researchers to solve the world’s most pressing challenges through use-inspired research, civically-responsible entrepreneurship, and the translation of academic-based research into practical solutions having societal benefit.
• To celebrate UC inventors and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated an exceptional spirit of innovation through the creation of new technologies, products, and services aimed at uplifting the human condition.

The University of California is not only committed to being one of the world’s cradles of academic discovery, but also being the best at translating big ideas into the real-world solutions the public desperately seeks.  From curing disease and eradicating hunger to reversing climate change and improving quality of life, UC is a powerful engine for innovation, change, and societal good. 

And the winner is ...

Starting in 2026 and for every subsequent year, three winners will be selected from UC’s ten campuses and three national laboratories in each of the following categories:

• Gamechanger Award – To be awarded to the faculty member or researcher who invented the most impactful product introduced to the 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.
• Disruptive Research Award – To be awarded to the faculty member or researcher who engaged in use-inspired research that has not yet been translated into real world applications but has demonstrated exceptional novelty and discovery with strong potential to be developed into new or improved technologies, products, and/or services that will improve lives.
• Best Startup Award – To be awarded to the faculty member or researcher who founded the best new company – utilizing UC research – to address societal needs.
• Community Changemaker Award – Recognizes a private sector leader or organization that has contributed significantly to improving social and economic prosperity by supporting UC‘s innovation enterprise.
• Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award  – To be awarded to a faculty member or researcher whose career accomplishments include multiple innovations that have led to long-term positive impacts on the lives of others and is an inspiring influence for aspiring UC inventors and entrepreneurs.

The winners of the Game Changer, Disruptive Research, and Best Startup awards will each receive a cash prize of at least $10,000.