TR35 FAQ
What is the TR35 Global?Established in 1999 as the TR100, the annual TR35 Global list recognizes the world’s 35 most outstanding innovators who are younger than 35. The awards span a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, materials, computer hardware, energy, transportation, communications, and the Web. 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. Technology Review showcases the TR35 Global winners, including our Humanitarian of the Year, in our September/October issue and online at www.technologyreview.com/tr35. We also recognize the finalists for TR35 Global at the Emtech MIT conference in October. What is the difference between the regional versions of the TR35 and the TR35 Global?In 2010, we launched regional versions of the TR35 with TR35 India. Now there are regional versions of the TR35 in India, Italy, and Spain. TR35 @Singapore, which covers Southeast Asia, is expected to announce its first winners later this year. China, Brazil, and Mexico are also expected to open nominations in 2012. The winners of the regional TR35 competitions are entered into the TR35 Global competition as well. TR35 Global http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35 How long have you been naming a TR35?Technology Review's first TR35 Global list of 35 young innovators appeared in 2005. Before that, the magazine honored 100 innovators with its TR100 list, which launched in 1999. In 2010, we launched regional versions of the TR35 with TR35 India. Now there are regional versions in India, Italy, and Spain. TR35 @Singapore, which covers Southeast Asia, is expected to announce its first winners later this year. China, Brazil, and Mexico are also expected to open nominations in 2012. How are members of the TR35 list chosen?The editors of Technology Review solicit specific information from each nominee. A distinguished panel of judges—technologists, inventors, and entrepreneurs—uses this information to evaluate the nominees. The editors make the final selections based on these judgments. Do I have to participate in a regional TR35 to be selected for TR35 Global?No, winners are not required to participate in a regional TR35 to be eligible for TR35 Global. The winners of the TR35 regional competitions are automatically entered into the TR35 Global nomination process. What is the age qualification for TR35 Global?TR35 Global winners must be under age 35 as of October 1 in the year they are honored. For 2012, TR35 Global nominees may not turn 35 before October 1, 2012. The sole exception is for female nominees who have borne at least one child at the time of their nomination. They must be under the age of 36; i.e., for 2012, such nominees may not turn 36 before October 1, 2012. Why do women with at least one child get an extra year?Numerous studies on the careers of engineers and scientists at the higher levels of academia and business have determined that women’s careers suffer much more than men’s from the effects of childbirth and child rearing. This systemic disadvantage particularly affects researchers in their twenties and thirties, the pool from which TR35 nominees are drawn. To compensate for this disadvantage, Technology Review allows women who have given birth an extra year to make up for time lost. The policy is similar to those of universities—including MIT—that suspend the “tenure clock” for a year when a female faculty member has a child. Does being pregnant count?No. Nominees taking advantage of the extra year must have given birth by the time of their nomination. Why don’t you allow other parenting-related exceptions?While other personal situations may appear to warrant similar exceptions, we cannot make case-by-case determinations. The exception for female parents was created on the grounds that there exists a large, well-documented, and easily identifiable class of affected people in science and engineering. Can a TR35 member be 35?Only if she is a woman who has borne at least one child at the time of her nomination. All other TR35 winners must be under age 35 as of October 1 in the year they are honored. For 2012, nominees may not turn 35 before October 1, 2012. Will you make an exception to the age limit?Apart from the exception for female nominees with at least one child, no. The age qualification is the single unifying characteristic of members of the TR35. We realize that exceptional work is being done by innovators age 35 and up; however, the premise of the list is to honor “35 under 35.” No other exceptions will be made. Who are the judges?The TR35 judges are experts in their fields, outstanding technologists, inventors, and entrepreneurs working in top universities and companies around the world. The list of judges changes each year and is published with the list of TR35 winners in the September/October issue of Technology Review. 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 (e.g., MBA) 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. Does a TR35 member have to be at a university?No! 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. Does a TR35 member have to be from the United States?No. TR35 Global nominations are international. 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 who are 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. What are you looking for in the nominee description?This should be a brief capsule summary of the technical work for which you believe the nominee deserves recognition, including an explanation of its impact, both within the nominee’s field and in the wider world. Can a nominator be listed as a reference?Yes! However, we will request a separate letter of support for the nominee. If you feel the nominee description submitted online is a complete account of the candidate’s work and highlights the reasons you believe he or she should be included in the TR35, please list a different reference. What is the TR100?In 1999, to celebrate its centennial, Technology Review honored 100 outstanding young innovators—the first TR100. Subsequent TR100 lists appeared in 2002, 2003, and 2004. In 2005, the list evolved into the TR35, an annual lineup of 35 top innovators under the age of 35. Questions? If you have any questions regarding the TR35 nomination process, please e-mail TR35admin@technologyreview.com. |
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