Awards FAQ

The Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) developed the Innovation Excellence Awards in 2023 to honor individuals, teams, and organizations that are pushing boundaries to set new organizational standards in innovation and shaping the industries of tomorrow. 

The Innovation Excellence Awards are open to companies and individual leaders, across all industries and locations worldwide. Anyone may nominate an Innovation Excellence Award candidate by describing their high-impact innovation projects and achievements using the online nomination form. Technology and consulting partners may submit entries to recognize their clients or customers so long as the client has approved the nomination. Submissions are evaluated and scored by a panel of subject matter experts.

There are seven award categories: five for companies and two for individuals. The complete list is available here. During the review process, IRI may reassign a nomination to a different category when doing so would allow the entry to be evaluated more competitively.

• For IRI, NAM, and MLC members:
  • IRI members receive one complimentary entry.
  • Additional entries are subject to a $195 fee.
• For non-members:
  • Each entry is subject to a $295 fee.

Each enterprise can submit up to five project entries but can be named a finalist for no more than three awards per season. There’s no limit on individual nominations. Technology and consulting partners can submit unlimited client projects, but only one project or individual per enterprise. If an enterprise exceeds the entry limit, all entrants will be contacted to determine which submissions will be considered. 

All information included in the nomination form is considered confidential and will only be viewed by IRI staff and the Innovation Excellence Awards panel of judges. IRI may use information from the nomination in develop profiles of the awards finalists and winners. 

Innovation Excellence Awards finalists will be notified in March 2027, followed by a public announcement through IRI press releases, newsletters, and social media. Finalists will receive a social media toolkit and be recognized at the Innovation Celebration Luncheon during the 2027 Innovators Summit on May 20 in Cleveland, OH, where the winners will be announced. In-person attendance is highly encouraged.