Is this actionable now?

closed. Retired program: the official site states that after 27 years the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize is no longer offered.

No one can currently apply because the prize has ended.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Not applicable because no current awards are made. No current cash or supported activity.

Lemelson-MIT Student Prize

Historical awards were USD 15,000 for graduate inventors and USD 10,000 for undergraduate teams; no current award · The Lemelson Foundation / Lemelson-MIT Program

Annual prize honouring collegiate inventors in the US. Individual graduate students and undergraduate teams with tested invention prototypes win non-dilutive cash across categories (healthcare, transportation, food/water & agriculture, consumer devices). Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: Historical awards were USD 15,000 for graduate inventors and USD 10,000 for undergraduate teams; no current award.

Tier 3prizenon-dilutivestudentinvention

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	The Lemelson Foundation / Lemelson-MIT Program
Amount	Historical awards were USD 15,000 for graduate inventors and USD 10,000 for undergraduate teams; no current award
Decision time	No current selection process.
Eligibility	No one can currently apply because the prize has ended.
Restrictions	Not applicable because no current awards are made. No current cash or supported activity.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Do not apply; the program is retired
Use the official archive for historical winners

Background

The Lemelson Foundation / Lemelson-MIT Program operates Lemelson-MIT Student Prize. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The Student Prize operated for 27 years before retirement.

How the application really works

Do not apply; the program is retired → Use the official archive for historical winners

Tips

Show direct fit with invention.
Show direct fit with health.
Show direct fit with transportation.
Show direct fit with food and agriculture.
Show direct fit with consumer devices.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
Not applicable because no current awards are made.
No current cash or supported activity.

Track record

The Student Prize operated for 27 years before retirement.

Historical acceptance data are not published on the retirement page; current selectivity is not applicable.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. Retired program: the official site states that after 27 years the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize is no longer offered.
What is the real economic value?: Historical awards were USD 15,000 for graduate inventors and USD 10,000 for undergraduate teams; no current award
Who is eligible?: No one can currently apply because the prize has ended.
How does selection work?: Do not apply; the program is retired; Use the official archive for historical winners. No current selection process.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Not applicable because no current awards are made. No current cash or supported activity.
What evidence exists?: The Student Prize operated for 27 years before retirement. Historical acceptance data are not published on the retirement page; current selectivity is not applicable.

Sources

lemelson.mit.edu/studentprize — Official retirement notice and historical award structure (checked 2026-08-10)