Application Deadline: April 25, 2018.
The Bell Labs Prize is a competition for innovators from participating countries around the globe that seeks to recognize proposals that ‘change the game’ in the field of information and communications technologies by a factor of 10, and provides selected innovators the unique opportunity to collaborate with Bell Labs researchers to help realize their vision.
Prizes:
All winners
The three winners may be given the opportunity to collaborate with Bell Labs to see their research project to fruition, when possible.
First prize : $100K
Second prize : $50K
Third prize : $25K
Winners will be announced at the Bell Labs prize awards event on or about December, 2018.
Selected participants may have an opportunity to work with Bell Labs, giving them the opportunity to collaborate with researchers to further develop the idea and enhance its commercial viability.
The Challenge
Stage One
In Stage One, you will be requested to formulate an idea (max 250 words) related to the field of information and communications technologies. You will have the option to attach 3 pages of text and/or images to illustrate your concept.
In the submission form we have outlined an indicative list of categories related to communications technologies. Please select the one that best matches your idea. The list is not restrictive and you are free to indicate a different category.
Categories: Web Applications, Cloud Services, Information Theory, Coding Theory, Computational Sciences, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, Data Privacy, Mathematics of Networks, Modulation Schemes, Optical Systems or Components, Communications Systems, Network Protocols, Security, Network Architecture, RF design, Sustainability, Wireless, Fixed Network technologies, Software-Defined Networks, Virtualization Technologies, Real-time Analytics, Search algorithms, Self-Optimizing Networks, Inference systems.
Stage Two
Finalists from Stage 1 will be assigned a Bell Labs researcher as a Partner (BLRP) to help them strengthen their idea and turn it into a robust proposal.
Your BLRP will help you develop each element of your idea – from your vision until initial thoughts on implementation through to description of context, risks and impact. The objective is to have a strong and complete proposal that selected finalists can present in person to the Bell Labs Judging Panel.
Evaluation Criteria
Ideas will be evaluated by Bell Labs researchers based on the following 3 criteria:
- 10x Innovation Potential – How is your proposal novel – what has not been done before, what is the “out of the box” thinking that could result in a 10x change in performance (e.g., speed/throughput, distance, latency, cost, energy efficiency or simplicity)?
- Technical Merit – How technically sound is your proposal? On what current principles and capabilities does it depend versus further/future advancements and innovations?
- Feasibility – Can a proof of concept, simulation or demonstration be built in the course of the competition? What is required to do so? In order to build a commercially viable (revenue and profit-generating) solution, what more would be required?
Application Process:
Stage 1 Call for Proposals
On March 1, 2018, the website will open for submissions. After registering on the website, you will have access to an application form where you will have the opportunity to provide us with the details of your idea. You will be asked to write a short description (max 250 words) and will have the option to attach a maximum of 3 explanatory pages. The deadline to submit your proposal is April 25, 2018.
Stage 2 Proposal submissions for finalists
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal by September 7, 2018.
During this phase, you will be assigned a Bell Labs researcher to collaborate with you to enhance your proposal. Your Bell Labs Research Partner (BLTP) will assist you in the three main attributes that we are looking for: 1) 10x Innovation Potential, 2) Technical Merit of the proposal and 3) Feasibility of idea by creating a quick proof of concept or demonstration. All stage 2 candidates will be invited to a Bell Labs location to meet their BLRP and visit our facility
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