Internet2 IDEA Awards
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible to nominate an application?

A. You must be affiliated with an Internet2 member, an Abilene Sponsored Educational Group Participant, or an Abilene Sponsored Participant to nominate an application.

Q. What if I’m not affiliated with an Internet2 member, SEGP, or Sponsored Participant and want to nominate someone else’s application?

A. Please encourages someone from the Internet2-affiliated organization to nominate its own application. Also feel free to email <idea-awards@internet2.edu> to bring the application to our attention.

Q. What if I’m from an Internet2 International Memorandum of Understanding Partner? Can I submit a nomination?

A. You should submit the nomination jointly with your Internet2-affiliated collaborators.

Q. Is there a limit to the number of applications and organization can submit?

A. No, there is not a limit.

Q. Is it a requirement to demonstrate the application to the judges or at an Internet2 Member Meeting?

A. No, demonstrations are not necessary. But, if feasible, demos could help with understanding the application. Therefore, feel free to suggest a demonstration opportunity. We will invite finalists to provide some form of presentation (e.g., a poster session or demonstration) at the Internet2 Spring Member Meeting.

Q. Who are the judges?

A. The judges are drawn from education, industry, and government and represent a wide range of interests. Anyone interested in being a judge in future years should contact <idea-core@internet2.edu>.

Q. What are the award categories?

A. At least for the first year, there are no pre-established categories. The judges will determine any award categories they may choose to establish each year. The suggested categories are simply to help characterize the application.

Q. What do you consider an application, the tool itself or the use of that tool within a particular context?

 A. While the latter is preferred, we do not exclude the former. So, for example, the university-based developer of a collaboration software package may nominate that package. However, our strong recommendation would be to nominate one or more particular uses of that software package in specific and innovative teaching, learning, or research contexts.

Q. While this isn’t the Internet2 Land Speed Record, do you still want quantitative data on the application?

A. Using quantitative data to inform the judges about the application is encouraged, particularly if the data supports your impact statements, but will be evaluated in context. So, please share any numbers you may have on the size of the application community (downloads, registered users, etc.); the number of transactions, files, fields, and so forth to indicate use levels; any cost savings or investments/grants gained through use of the application; and any assessment data (formative or summative).

Q. Does the application need to have been in use for a particular period of time?

A. No, while some applications may take years to mature others may have nearly immediate wide spread benefit. All applications are welcome.

Q. When are applications due? When will the awards be given?

A. Applications are due by 5:01 P.M. EST on Sunday, 31 December, 2006. Finalists will be announced in February and the awards, including recognition plaques, will be presented at the Internet2 Spring Member Meeting, 23-25 April 2007 in Arlington, Virginia. You do not need to be present to win.

Q. Will the judges sign non-disclosure agreements so that I can share proprietary information about the application?

A. No, the judges will not enter into non-disclosure arrangements.