Edison Patent Awards

For more than 40 years, the R&D Council has recognized and highlighted the broad array of research conducted in the state and celebrated its exceptional inventors in an annual award ceremony named for Thomas Alva Edison, New Jersey’s — and perhaps the world’s — most famous inventor. Winners are selected by a team of R&D Council researchers who evaluate nominated patents based on the significance of the problem addressed, its utility/socioeconomic value, novelty and commercial impact.

Part of these annual awards includes three special honors presented as the Science & Technology Medal, Chairman’s Award and Educator of the Year. Past recipients of these special honors include Nobel Laureates, leaders of Fortune 100 companies, the world’s foremost academic researchers and New Jersey’s most prominent policymakers.

View 2023 press release here.

The 2024 Edison Patent Awards nomination form is available hereDeadline for nominations is May 31, 2024.
Edison Patent Award Films and Event Photos

Watch our Trailer here!

You can find tribute films for all of the 2023 Patent Award winners by clicking here.

You can find tribute films for all of the 2022 Patent Award winners by clicking here.

You can find tribute films for all of the 2021 Patent Award winners by clicking here.

You can find tribute films for all of the 2020 Patent Award winners by clicking here.