Download the 2008 Nominations Brochure

ESD Alpha Awards^®
for Innovation in Engineering and Technology

Download the 2008 Nomination Brochure

About the Program

The ESD Alpha Awards^® for Innovation in Engineering and Technology recognize and celebrate the creative and original ideas of men and women in the engineering and technology professions that develop innovative solutions to benefit the needs of the general public, business or academia.

ESD Alpha Awards^® should foster cooperation among and between organizations in the scientific, technical and commercial sectors that create significant economic, cultural, environmental, academic and intellectual benefits to the communities served by ESD member companies.

Eligibility Requirements

Any product, material, system, structure, process or methodology that is in application or use, including inventions, is eligible. The innovation must have become commercially available, introduced into general, active practical use, or demonstrated new, unique applications within the last 3 years (since January 2005). The submission must be endorsed by an individual or corporate member of The Engineering Society of Detroit, or you may become an ESD member when you apply by enclosing membership dues with your entry form.

Submission Criteria

Nominate any product, material, system, structure, process or methodology that is innovative in application or use, including inventions. The innovation must have become commercially available, introduced into general, active practical use, or demonstrated new, unique applications within the last 3 years (since January 2005).
Please submit an essay with a maximum of 1000 words, clearly and concisely addressing each of the criteria points listed below (1–13). Note that this is a two-phase process, and initial essay submissions are for pre-screening.
All selected nominees will be contacted in March 2008 to submit full documentation of their submittal. Items noted as confidential will be maintained and respected by the judges.

Background and methodology

1. Describe how this innovation was conceived, planned, designed and produced, including different entities involved and the cooperation between these entities.
2. Describe the essential features of the innovation, providing quantitative, qualitative and graphical data as appropriate (be concise).
3. Describe and supply evidence of any peer review(s), such as publications or patents, associated with this innovation.
4. Describe how this innovation is creative and unique as compared to similar applications.
5. Describe how this innovation is superior to other applications.
6. Describe when this innovation was made commercially available or put into active, practical use.
7. Describe where this innovation is commercially or actively used.
   
   Impact
   
   
8. Describe the type of persons or organizations this innovation most benefits, and how.
9. Describe the innovation’s social impact.
10. Describe the innovation’s savings or economic impact.
11. Describe the impact of the innovation on existing processes or programs.
12. As applicable, selecting at least one, describe the impact of the innovation on:
    • organizational efficiency or productivity
    • energy usage
    • environment
    • safety and health perspective
13. Describe the significance of the innovation; beyond just a natural evolution of good practices or common sense.

Entry Procedures

• Entries must be postmarked by February 29, 2008. (Note that hand-delivered entries must be delivered to ESD’s Headquarters no later than 5 p.m., February 29, 2008). No entries postmarked after that date will be accepted.
• Include a compact disc with your essay and at least one high-resolution digital image of (or directly relating to) your project. Photos should be large format, 300 dpi or better and in JPG or TIFF format. Winning projects will be published in Technology Century. Also include 5 printed copies of all submission documents.
• All entries must address each of the 13 criteria points listed under Submission Criteria.
• Please note that additional graphic material will be required if your entry is selected as a winner.
• All entries become the property of ESD and will not be returned.

Nomination Form

Download the Nomination Form.

Please complete this form and return it with your essay to The Engineering Society of Detroit, 2000 Town Center, Suite 2610, Southfield, MI 48075. Essays and questions may be directed to Leslie Smith at 248-353-0735, ext. 4152, or lsmith@esd.org.

Entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2007. For hand-delivered entries, please note that ESD Headquarters closes at 5 p.m. on February 27, 2007.  If you are submitting more than one project, please use separate entry forms.

After You Have Submitted An Entry

Judging: Submissions are evaluated by an impartial panel of industry judges. Projects are judged in competition with each other on their merit relative to the contest criteria. After the initial pre-screening, selected nominees will be contacted in March 2008 to submit a maximum of 12 pages of documentation for consideration. Winners will be notified by mail. Awards are based on the inherent qualities of each project as perceived by the judges.

Awards: Awards are presented at a gala evening in June 2008, hosted by The Engineering Society of Detroit. Winners will be presented an award.

Publicity: ESD provides publicity for all of the winning projects. Photographs, illustrations and text will be used for unrestricted newspaper and magazine coverage. All winning projects will be included in a feature in Technology Century and will be featured in the following year’s Call for Nominations Brochure.

Sponsorship and More Information

For more information or to sponsor these awards, please contact Leslie Smith at 248-353-0735, ext. 4152, or lsmith@esd.org.