The John & Yvonne Almgren TSA Innovation Encouragement Award of $10,000 will be presented to the nomination that is judged by a panel to best reflect the aims of the Award.

Purpose

The purpose of the Award is to recognise innovation in the field of Telecommunications, and through that recognition, to encourage further innovation both by the recipient of the award and by others.

Background

In 2004 Mr John Almgren AM approached the Chairman of the TSA and offered to fund an annual award for the encouragement of innovation. The Inaugural Award was presented to the winner at a dinner for the TSA Innovation Address, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne in November of 2005.

Judging Panel

The Panel shall comprise -

• The Chairman of the TSA or nominee
• At least two other members approved by the Board, who need not be members or office bearers of the TSA, but may have expertise or position that warrants their inclusion
• At least one of the Panel shall be a communications engineer by training.

The inaugural panel members are listed in Attachment 1 to this document.

Presentation of Award

The Award shall be presented at a TSA Innovation function - such as a lunch or dinner especially organised for the purpose of promoting innovation.

Criteria

The work that the Award recognises shall –

a. be in the field of telecommunications or a closely related field           
b.  demonstrate a high level of innovation and ingenuity
c.  be of clear market value
d.  be of significant immediate or potential impact for the industry in Australia
e.  be of a kind to support a continuing high global reputation of Australian Telecommunications.

In assessing the relative merits of short-listed nominations, the Panel shall assess-

a.  the novelty of the idea(s) associated with the innovation
b.  the values illustrated by the innovation
c.  how value was created
d.  how well value was created and will be sustained
e.  where the value was created (that is, in what market)

Conditions

1.  The award shall be made to an individual not to a corporation or other legal entity
2.  The individual must be a permanent resident of Australia or an Australian citizen
3.  The individual shall not be disqualified because the work that is being recognised
     occurred in the course of employment for another

Submission Guidelines:

In particular your detailed submission should address:

1.  The Innovation. Describe the new idea behind the innovation, why is it innovative compared to alternatives.

• Indicate the ingenuity employed in its formation
• Describe the role of the nominee.

Indicate any values or behaviours (e.g. teamwork, insight, leadership) exhibited by the nominee and identify ‘barriers’ (including financial support) that have been encountered and overcome along the commercialisation pathway.

In the case of innovation within a corporation or large organisation, clearly identify the role of others who assisted the innovator nominated.

2.  The Value Created. Describe the value created by the innovation.

• The basis for believing the idea would be valued at the outset
• Quantify where possible the potential value
• Indicate where the value has been created and by whom is it being captured.

Indicate any future value that may be created.

3.  Value to Australia. Describe the potential impact of the innovation on the industry in Australia

In the case of Start-ups, the panel will take into account the lack of an internal market as can often be the case for an internal innovation.