The James Dyson Award, a global design and engineering competition by the James Dyson Foundation, is now open for entries, inviting innovative solutions to real-world challenges from engineering and design students and recent graduates. The competition, established in 2005, focuses on ambitious designs addressing global issues, offering global recognition to an International Winner and a Sustainability Winner. Past winners include a head movement-based mouse for hands-free computer control and an off-road ambulance trailer for conflict zones. The International and Sustainability Winners stand a chance to win INR 30 lakhs, with INR 5 lakhs for each National Winner in the 30 markets participating in the Award.
Sir James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer, emphasizes the need for problem-solvers and celebrates the unconventional thinking that leads to breakthrough inventions. The competition has supported over 400 young inventors with £1 million in prize money, with a focus on supporting the commercialization of winning ideas.
Notable past winner, Pravin Kumar from Chennai, created Mouseware, a movement-based technology enabling smart device control for individuals with upper limb disabilities using head movements. Winning the James Dyson Award has provided global recognition and a platform for innovators like Pravin to expand their reach and make a positive impact.
The judging criteria prioritize inventions that address real-world problems intelligently and provide clear solutions. National winners progress to the global Top 20, with Sir James Dyson selecting the ultimate winners. The National Winners will be revealed on September 11th, the global Top 20 on October 16th, and the Global Winners on November 13th.
The deadline to apply is midnight on July 17th 2024.
How to enter
Candidates enter through an online application form via the James Dyson Award website. Entrants should explain what their invention is, how it works, and their development process. The best entries solve a real problem, are clearly explained, show iterative development, provide evidence of prototyping and have supporting imagery and a video.
Eligibility criteria
Entrants must be, or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate engineering/design related course. This course must be at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award.
In the case of team entries, all members must be or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate programme at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award. At least one team member must have studied an eligible subject in engineering or design. Those participating in a degree level apprenticeship at Level 6 or Level 7, and those who have completed said apprenticeship in the past four years, are eligible to enter the award. Further FAQs can be found on the James Dyson Award website.
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