Here’s your chance to nominate the trailblazers who are setting the bar higher! In 2025, AURP will gather in Las Vegas at the AURP 2025 International Conference to recognize and honor parks, companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in innovation.
- Your Excellence in Innovation Impact (over 10+ yrs) or Emerging Innovation Ecosystem (under 10-years)
- Visionary leadership and next-gen rising stars
- Innovative companies with game-changing business models, products and services
PRESTIGE!
- Award recipients are celebrated across a global network of innovation leaders through media and press
- Gain global recognition, build new network partners and foster support to engage local/regional stakeholders and congressional leaders
- Posterity—recognition doesn’t end at the awards ceremony! Achievements will be highlighted in future awards communications, #AURPinAction features showcasing the ‘power of our innovation network’ and beyond!
CRITERIA: Nominee must be an AURP member for over 12 months or a tenant within a member’s community.
Submission Requirements (varies by category):
- Overview of the nominated Research Park/Innovation District or an individual’s key activities and accomplishments.
- Why they deserve to be honored.
- Metrics showing economic and/or societal impact in the community and region.
- Notable achievements, including any awards or special recognitions.
- Optional: Supporting material links including information like articles, brochures, or media coverage
Innovation drives the global economy! Let’s highlight and showcase AURP’s MVPs.
AURP Awards of Excellence: Award Categories
Outstanding Research Park or Innovation District Award
Recognizes research parks or innovation districts which have created an exceptional ecosystem which supports bringing technology from inception to market thereby positively impacting the sustainable growth of scalable businesses, creation of jobs which are higher paying than the regional average, and contribute to the economic health of the region in which they are located. These entities actively participate in their associated higher education community by contributing to research funding, faculty engagement and experiential learning opportunities for students. Successful candidates will also make a significant contribution to the region by supporting a robust environment for innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization activities
Emerging Research Park or Innovation District Award
Recognizes research parks or innovation districts which have been operational for 10 or fewer years (operational defined as 10 or fewer years from the first year in which dedicated staff were hired and/or the first construction or renovation of one or more facilities was begun). Candidate entities should have created an exceptional ecosystem which supports bringing technology from inception to market thereby positively impacting the sustainable growth of scalable businesses, creation of jobs which are higher paying than the regional average, and contribute to the economic health of the region in which they are located. These entities actively participate in their associated university community and make a significant contribution to the region by supporting a robust environment for innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization activities.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is given each year to the business or nonprofit institution located in a research park, science park or innovation district which has brought forward one or more proprietary products, process or services which represent a substantial technology breakthrough or have the potential for a significant positive impact on the economic, health or welfare status of a broad spectrum of humanity. Candidates should not be controlled in whole or in part by an institution of higher education or governmental entity.
This Award is given as a peer recognition to an individual who has through the course of their career in a leadership position at one or more research parks, science parks or innovation districts made a significant contribution to the advancement and recognition of the industry.
Leadership Award
Recognizes a business, higher education, government or community leader who has made a significant and substantial contribution to the creation, development and/or regional impact of a research park, science park or innovation district.
AURP Developing Communities of Innovation Award
This award is given in recognition of a successful research park, science park or innovation district which has made a significant and sustained contribution to the industry through continuity of operations for a significant period of time. Previous winners of the Outstanding Research Park, Science Park or Innovation District Award may be considered as candidates for this award ten years after the date they received the Outstanding Park/District Award.
Rising Stars: A New Generation of Innovation Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual exhibiting significant contributions to the development and success of communities of innovation. Examples of significant contributions can include successes achieved on behalf of their employing entity and/or on behalf of AURP or allied organizations.
Candidates must be directly employed by the primary entity responsible for management, development and operation of a research/science park and/or innovation district which is a Sustaining Member of AURP at the time of nomination. Candidates must be employed in a key management role (e.g. incubator manager, facilities director, finance manager, business development manager) and must be 45 years of age or less by the date of the Annual Awards presentation.
This award recognizes an organization or individual who have made a sustained and exceptional contribution to the national or multinational community of innovation as embodied in research parks, science parks and/or innovation districts.
Covid-19 National Response and Resiliency Excalibur Award
The Excalibur Award this year will be given to recognize organizations or individuals who, in response to Covid-19, provided unique and significant technology solutions, community outreach or leadership to assist their community in better health outcomes.
Appreciation Award
This Award is given as recognition to an individual who has through the course of his or her career have made a significant contribution to the advancement and recognition of the industry. Candidates may include key individuals involved with corporate partners or sustaining corporate members.
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