Women of Innovation Nomination Eligibility
The nomination process is open to women in the technology, science and engineering communities, in business or academia, and employed in Iowa. Each nominee must meet the basic definition of the award category for which she is nominated. Award category definitions and judging criteria are detailed below. When submitting a nomination, please address all areas of the criteria with specific examples.
Award Categories
Research Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A woman who has developed new knowledge or products or improvements to products in a corporate, academic or government setting. She has exhibited original approaches to research and has achieved peer recognition in the technology, science or engineering disciplines. She has exhibited leadership ability by directing research teams, motivating staff and securing outside grants or funding.
Judged on: a) Achievement in new product or idea development, b) Receipt of professional recognition, c) Publication and/or patent record, d) Scope of research program as evidenced by research funding, resource allocation, such as full-time staff assigned and the interdisciplinary scope of research team(s), and e) Leadership
Academic Innovation and Leadership (Secondary)
Definition: A woman employed in an academic setting (middle school, high school or Area Education Agency) who has created and fostered curriculum development, student research and teacher-student collaborations (in technology, science or engineering). A woman who has secured outside funding and/or has received peer recognition and who has worked to inspire and encourage other women to pursue careers in technology, science or engineering.
Judged on: a) Innovative curriculum development, b) Academic awards or peer honors, c) Secured grants to support this work, d) Mentorship, and e) Leadership
Academic Innovation and Leadership (Post-Secondary)
Definition: A woman employed in an academic setting (community college, college or university) who has created and fostered curriculum development, student research and teacher-student collaborations (in technology, science or engineering). A woman who has secured outside funding and/or has received peer recognition and who has worked to inspire and encourage other women to pursue careers in technology, science or engineering.
Judged on: a) Innovative curriculum development, b) Academic awards or peer honors, c) Secured grants to support this work, d) Mentorship, and e) Leadership
Government Agency/Non-Profit Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A woman with at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering. She has managed a program, project or business unit in an exemplary way in a government agency or not-for-profit organization.
Judged on: a) Managerial skills, b) Innovation, and c) Leadership
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A woman who has founded her own company or helped found a company. She has taken great professional and financial risk to make her idea a reality.
Judged on: a) Entrepreneurship, b) Innovation, and c) Leadership
Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A woman with at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering. She has managed a program, project or business unit in an exemplary way in a company with less than $25 million in annual revenues.
Judged on: a) Managerial skills, b) Innovation, and c) Leadership
Large Company Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A woman with at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering. She has managed a program, project or business unit in an exemplary way in a corporation with annual revenues of $25 million or more or in a government agency.
Judged on: a) Managerial skills, b) Innovation, and c) Leadership
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A female undergraduate or graduate student under the age of 25 at an Iowa institution who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in the fields of technology, science or engineering. She has demonstrated academic achievement and/or leadership in these fields.
Judged on: a) Academic achievement, and b) Innovation and creativity
Youth Innovation and Leadership
Definition: A female high school student who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in the fields of technology, science or engineering. She has demonstrated academic achievement and/or leadership in these fields.
Judged on: a) Academic achievement, and b) Innovation and creativity
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