Nomination Process & Timing

Inaugural Prize (2027)

Our first prize cycle runs on a shortened timeline. Winners for the 2027 award will be selected from a pool of invited nominations rather than an open call. Our first winner will be announced in the spring of 2027 at our annual awards ceremony. More details to come in early 2027.

Future Cycles (Beginning 2028)

Starting with the 2028 award, nominations will run an annual cycle:. The process will include a call for nominations from our academic partners around the world, followed by two screening and selection phases. Expanded nomination packages will be prepared for the finalist candidates, and the selection committee will conduct final deliberations in early 2028.The winner will be notified in spring 2028, follow by our award ceremony at UC Berkeley.

What a Nomination Includes

Initial nomination (for all entries): a 1–2 page nomination form, a brief description of the instrumentation, evidence of impact, peer-review status, and nominee name, short CV, and current institution.

Expanded nomination (shortlisted candidates only): a cover letter describing the innovation and its impact, a technical description of the instrument (3–5 pages), evidence of impact (publications enabled, adoption, etc.), three letters of support from independent researchers who have used or benefited from the innovation, and CV(s) of the nominee(s).

All nominations will be submitted through our network of global academic partners. Self-nomination or general submissions will not be accepted.