Collegiate Inventors Competition

Instructions and required content for the advisor or professional reference letter for the Collegiate Inventors Competition.

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DeadlineNot listed

Award amountPatent acceleration; Cash prizes (amount unspecified); Unrestricted cash prizes for winners; $2,000 or more (triggers 1099-MISC issuance)

Last checkedJun 24, 2026

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Collegiate Inventors Competition FAQs

Official frequently asked questions document for the Collegiate Inventors Competition, covering eligibility, application requirements, judging processes, and intellectual property concerns.

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Award amount

Unrestricted cash prizes for winners

Eligibility

Part-time or full-time students enrolled in a U.S. college or university; Must have been enrolled at least part-time between June 2025 and June 2026; Non-U.S. citizens enrolled in a U.S. college or university are eligible; Invention must be original work of the student/team; Invention must not have been patented or disclosed by another party; Invention must not have been issued a patent more than one year before submission date

Requirements

General student information; Abstract; Description of the invention; Letter of recommendation from faculty adviser or professional reference; Literature/patent search and summary; Must be able to provide a completed and signed W-9 for prizes of $2,000 or more

Application materials

Abstract; Invention description; Letter of recommendation; Literature/patent search summary; Optional supporting materials (charts, graphs, videos, articles)

How to apply

Submit application materials including invention description and required documentation; Conduct a thorough literature and patent search; Designate an adviser or professional reference to submit a letter

Important dates

Final round judging and awards: October 15-16

Documents

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9; https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/types-patent-applications/provisional-application-patent

Contact

collegiate@invent.org

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