Collegiate Inventors Competition

View the winners here.

The Collegiate Inventors Competition® (CIC) is your opportunity to bring national attention to your work, gain valuable feedback from our National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees and compete for cash prizes.

To enter CIC, you’ll need to fill out our online application form. Here’s what you’ll be asked to provide:

• Your student information

• An essay including a brief description or abstract of your invention

• A letter of recommendation from a faculty adviser or professional reference

• A literature/patent search and summary

• Any relevant supporting or supplemental materials you wish to submit, such as charts, graphs, videos, articles, samples, etc.

Helpful Links

• Rules and Requirements

• Entry Tips

• Adviser Letter

• Adviser Letter Example

• Patent Search

• Patent Search Example 1

• Patent Search Example 2

• Application Essay Example

• FAQs