Nominations: Frequently Asked Questions

Innovators Under 35 General Information

What is MIT Technology Review's global list of 35 young innovators?

Established in 1999 as the TR100, the annual list recognizes outstanding innovators who are younger than 35. The awards span a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, materials, computer hardware, energy, transportation, and telecommunications. We are searching for individuals whose superb technical work promises to shape the coming decades. Our goal is to recognize the development of new technology or the creative application of existing technologies to solve problems. We also reward ingenious and elegant work that matters to the world at large—not just to peers in a particular field or industry.

MIT Technology Review showcases these global winners at www.technologyreview.com/tr35. 

What is the difference between the regional lists of young innovators and the global list?

We launched regional editions of the Innovators Under 35 list in 2010. Now there are other regional versions, including Latin America, China, Japan, Korea, MENA (Middle East/North Africa), and Asia Pacific (which includes Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania). The winners of the regional competitions are encouraged to apply for the global list. For a full listing of our regional competitions, visit https://www.innovatorsunder35.com/about/nominate-innovators-under-35-apply/.

How is the list chosen?

Once all the nominees are in, the editors of MIT Technology Review winnow the group down to 100 semi-finalists. The editors will solicit specific information from each semi-finalist via email. If you are a nominee and you have not received a request for additional information by the end of February, that means you probably did not make this year's list of semi-finalists and should apply again the following year. The semi-finalists' materials are forwarded to a group of several dozen judges with expertise in all areas of technology. Based on the judges' ratings, the editors then pick the final list of 35.

Do I have to participate in a regional competition to be selected for the global list?

No, that is not necessary.

Information for Nomination

I nominated someone for the Innovators Under 35 list and have not heard back from MIT Technology Review yet. What should I do?

You do not need to do anything. We will be in touch with the candidate directly if he or she becomes a semi-finalist.

Can a nominator be listed as a reference?

Yes! However, we might request a separate letter of support for the nominee.

What is the age qualification?

You need to be under 35 by October 1 of the year of the award. 

What do you mean by "affiliation(s)"?

This is simply the nominee's place of work or study. We provide multiple fields in case a nominee is both working and studying for an advanced degree and in case a student or professor is founding a company. Please do not list professional memberships or the schools where a nominee has previously earned degrees. Past winners have come from startups, large companies, government agencies, and nonprofits, as well as from universities around the world. We encourage nominations from institutions of all types.

Whom should I list as references?

These should be advisors, supervisors, coworkers, or colleagues at other institutions who are familiar with the nominee's work and might be able to describe the work and its importance. These people should be willing and able to provide a short (approximately one-page) letter in support of the nominee.

Can I nominate partners, for example a group of three founders, or a joint submission?

Please nominate your submissions separately, i.e. one submission for each nominee.

Information Required from Semi-Finalists

What is the deadline to submit all required materials for nominations?

If you are selected as a semi-finalist you will be contacted by email in February. We will then request that you submit additional materials, including reference letters.

How will MIT Technology Review contact semi-finalists for additional information?

By e-mail.

What information is required from semi-finalists?

Semi-finalists will be asked to provide a current CV or resume, proof of age (winners must be under 35 by October 1 of the year of the award), and the names and email addresses of three people willing to write reference letters. You’ll also be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire about the nature of your innovation and why it is important. You’ll also have the option of uploading a short video about your work, links to publications or articles about your work, and other supporting documents.

Reference Letters

What information is required for a nominee reference letter?

We ask that a reference letter contain several paragraphs explaining how you know the candidate and why you believe he or she has done exceptional work. If you are named as a semi-finalist your references will be contacted via email and asked to upload their letters.

Other questions? If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please e-mail TR35@technologyreview.com.