The Lemelson-MIT Student Prize , is a national invention competition that recognizes individual graduate students who have tested prototypes of two or more inventions and teams of undergraduate students with a tested prototype of one invention . They are once again conducting a nationwide search for the most inventive undergraduate and graduate students to compete for the 2020 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize . They would be delighted if mentors would consider referring qualified candidates. The competition recognizes students at any U.S. college or university who have tested prototypes of technology-based inventions in healthcare , food/water and agriculture, transportation and mobility , and consumer devices . Inventions are not limited to class projects or thesis work, and any side/personal projects could also be considered. Patents are encouraged but not required. In each of the four ca...