The University of California Board of Regents has introduced the UC Regents Innovation Awards, a new annual program designed to recognize significant achievements in research, entrepreneurship, and community partnership across its 10 campuses and three national laboratories.
According to UC Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly, “These annual awards will recognize groundbreaking research, transformative startups, and community partnerships that exemplify the University’s commitment to innovation and public benefit.”
Each campus and national laboratory is invited to nominate one individual or entity per award category by May 1, 2026. The categories include the Gamechanger Award for impactful products brought to market; the Disruptive Research Award for novel research with strong development potential; the Best Startup Award for companies addressing societal needs through UC research; the Community Changemaker Award for private sector leaders or organizations supporting UC’s innovation efforts; and the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award honoring faculty or researchers whose careers have resulted in multiple innovations with lasting positive impacts.
Campuses and labs can create their own nomination processes reflecting their unique cultures. Nominees will be evaluated by the President’s Entrepreneurship Network Council from May to June. The Board of Regents will select up to three awardees per category during the summer.
Winners will be announced at a gala event in August at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento. The Gamechanger, Disruptive Research, and Best Startup awards each carry a minimum $10,000 cash prize.
The new awards are based on guidelines set by Regents Policy 5105 (Policy on Innovation Transfer & Entrepreneurship). More details are available on the UC Regents Innovation Awards page.
