FAQs

This page contains information to help potential applicants learn about the Sherwin I Seligsohn Innovation Award and find answers to frequently asked questions about the application process. All applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the competition’s Terms & Conditions found on the award website. If there is any conflict between the FAQ responses below and the competition’s Terms & Conditions, the Terms & Conditions will govern. If you have additional questions, please email seligsohnaward@oled.com.

What is the submission deadline?
Submissions will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 31, 2025.

Are post-graduate students able to submit their work?
Yes, but participants must include all team members who participated in the work, including any professors in the submission.

Are there any limits on when the invention or research was conducted?
No. As long as applicants meet the criteria outlined in the competition’s Terms & Conditions, submissions may be made from research conducted at any time.

I developed my invention while under contract for a company or institution that owns the intellectual property (IP) of my research or invention. Can I still submit for the award?
No. For the purposes of this awards competition, research and inventions that include IP owned by third parties are not considered original works by an individual or team and should not be submitted as a part of this competition unless the underlying owner agrees and is the submitting applicant.

Are submissions accepted in languages other than English?
Although this is a global program, submissions must be made in English.

Who are the judges?
The panel of judges is made up of senior scientists and engineers from UDC.

Can I submit more than one submission?
Yes. However, primary applicants are limited to three submissions for the 2025 Sherwin I. Seligsohn Award.

Who can I contact with questions or to request additional information?
Please direct all requests related to the Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award to seligsohnaward@oled.com.

Are there any restrictions on the cash award (i.e., does it have to be used to fund future research)?
No. The cash award is the winner’s for their achievements and does not have spending restrictions. The cash award will be $75,000 USD regardless of the number of individuals on a submission.

If I win, do I have to pay taxes on the award money?
The cash award is subject to any and all applicable tax laws in the award winner’s jurisdiction.

If I win does UDC have any right to use my submitted invention or intellectual property?

Participants retain ownership in the intellectual property in their submission. By submitting their invention and for a chance to win the cash award, all participants, regardless of whether they are deemed to be the winner of the award, agree that UDC will have a non-exclusive right to commercialize technology incorporating intellectual property contained in a submission. For more information regarding ownership and use rights, please see “Part G – Ownership and Use of Submissions; Publicity” in the competition Terms & Conditions.

What are the evaluation criteria for winning the award?
The panel of judges in the UDC Submissions Review Committee (SRC) will make a reasonably objective analysis of each submission based primarily on each submission’s originality, scientific evidence and impact (or potential impact), all as determined in the sole opinion of the SRC.

How will the winner be notified?
UDC will contact the winner by sending an email to the primary applicant email address entered as part of the award application.