1. Inventors Hall of Fame
- Lifetime gurus with multiple inventions over time "Recognized Luminaries"
- Alive or deceased
- Ideas must be patented
- Was in use at one time, does not need to be in use now

2. Inventors of the Year
- Invention is current (within the last 5-10 years)
- Must still be living
- Patent must be in force
- In commercial use

3. Special Awards
- Smaller but significant awards
- Alive or deceased
- Patented idea
- In commercial use at one time, but not necessarily now
- Cultural impact - The award that brings a smile to your face as in the golf tee, the bra strap, the ice cream cone, etc.

4. Innovators Award
- No patent needed
- Conceptual thinkers
- Significant achievement in science, just not patented

5. Graduate Student Awards
- No patents
- Current grad students of this year
- In part, based on their thesis
- Still in grad school or graduated in the last year
- Typically nominated by their professor
- "Recognition for the Grad Students Participation in the Invention Process"