TR35 FAQ

• What is the TR35?
• How long have you been naming a TR35?
• How are members of the TR35 list chosen?
• What is the age qualification?
• Can a TR35 member be 35?
• Will you make an exception to the age limit?
• Who are the judges?
• What do you mean by "affiliation(s)"?
• Does a TR35 have to be at a university?
• Does a TR35 have to be from the United States?
• Who should I list as references?
• What are you looking for in the nominee description?
• Can a nominator be listed as a reference?
• What is the TR100?

What is the TR35?

Established in 1999 as the TR100, the TR35 list recognizes 35 outstanding innovators under the age of 35 each year. The awards span a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, materials, computer hardware, energy, transportation, and the Internet. We are searching for individuals whose superb technical work holds great promise to shape the next 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 finalists, including our Innovator of the Year, in our September/October issue. We also recognize the finalists at our Emerging Technologies Conference and awards program in September.
To view profiles of all past winners, please see Technology Review's website at www.technologyreview.com/tr35/.

How long have you been naming a TR35?

Technology Review's first TR35 list of 35 young innovators appeared in 2005. Before that, the magazine honored 100 innovators with its TR100 list.

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--evaluates the nominees based on this information. The editors make the final selections based on these judgments.

What is the age qualification?

TR35 winners must be under age 35 as of October 1 in the year they are honored. For 2008, nominees may not turn 35 before October 2, 2008.

Can a TR35 member be 35?

No. TR35 winners must be under age 35 as of October 1 in the year they are honored. For 2008, nominees may not turn 35 before October 2, 2008.

Will you make an exception to the age limit?

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 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 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 have to be from the United States?

No! Past winners have come from countries all over the world. Indeed, we actively seek international nominations each year.

Who 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.