The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting inventors. Founded in 2010, the organization aims to promote and recognize the contributions of inventors to the advancement of science and technology. Through its activities, the NAI facilitates collaboration between inventors, universities, industry, and government, and helps to foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
The NAI is made up of over 4,000 individual inventors and over 250 institutions worldwide. Members are elected to the organization based on their invention and innovation achievements, and can be nominated by peers or selected by the organization's selection committee.
The NAI offers a variety of services to its members, such as access to resources and networking opportunities, as well as awards for outstanding inventors. The organization also provides educational programs and research opportunities for its members, including workshops and seminars, and funding for research projects. Being a member of the NAI offers numerous benefits to Lehigh University, such as:
1) Increased visibility for your inventions and research
2) Access to resources and services focused on innovation
3) A platform to collaborate and network with members of the academy
4) Opportunities to secure intellectual property protection
5) Access to funding and other resources for invention and innovation
6) Opportunities to be nominated for prestigious awards
7) Invitations to participate in exclusive events and activities
8) Increased recognition and prestige for members and their institutions
The NAI also honors and recognizes inventors who have been granted U.S. patents, thereby advancing the visibility of academic technology and innovation during its annual awards ceremony. It promotes the recognition of academic inventors through programs such as the NAI Fellows Program, the NAI Senior Members Program, and the NAI Chapter.
NAI Fellows Program: The National Academy of Inventors Fellows are a group of leading academic inventors and innovators from around the world who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.
NAI Senior Members Program: The National Academy of Inventors Senior Members are those members who have achieved a high level of accomplishment in the field of invention and innovation and have been recognized by their peers for their contributions to their field.
NAI Chapter: The National Academy of Inventors Chapter is an institutionally-based organization that supports and promotes the Academy’s mission and activities, including the recognition of inventors and innovators, the fostering of public awareness of invention, and the advancement of academic innovation and technology transfer.
The NAI also works to promote the importance of intellectual property protection and the role of inventors in the innovation process. This organization works with government, industry, and academia to promote awareness of intellectual property rights and to ensure that inventor rights are protected. The NAI is dedicated to recognizing and promoting the contributions of inventors to the advancement of science and technology.
NAI is proud to present our newest video series: From Campus to Commerce. In this series, we showcase our Member Institutions and the journey of their early-stage innovation from campus to the marketplace.