In March 2015, S&T introduced the InnoPrize Program to assist DHS in planning and executing prize competitions that enable a transparent and fresh approach to operational challenges, problem solving, and spurring innovation. The InnoPrize Program executes part of President Barack Obama's 2011 Strategy for American Innovation which made it easier to use competition programs to encourage innovation, solve tough problems, and advance the core missions of the Department. For each competition, a well-defined problem or question will be posed to the public along with specific response criteria. Innovative problem solvers are encouraged to contribute promising ideas, products, prototypes, and solutions for judging.

Announcing DHS Prize Competitions

Winning solution(s) are then assessed based upon the stated competition criteria using a diverse set of practitioners, end users, engineers, subject matter experts, and other industry or R&D leaders as judges. This not only helps to ensure that the submissions are evaluated properly but also helps to determine if the desired results can be achieved, its marketing potential, and the proposed solution’s use as a standalone innovation or as a part of a government project. In some cases, DHS may rely upon a technology support team to assess the merits of submissions like algorithms or computer programs.

S&T announced its first prize competition in March 2015 in support of the DHS S&T First Responders Group’s Next Generation of First Responders Apex Program. The winners were announced in May 2015. In the coming months, S&T will work across the Department and its leaders to assess other programs and identify mission gaps best suited for prize competitions DHS will expand its collaboration with innovators and the problem-solver community as the program grows and additional prize competitions are announced. Future prize competitions will be announced here, on Challenge.gov, and through social media announcements.

Prize Competitions and Announcements

DHS Prize Competition 15-01:  “Where Am I, Where Is My Team?” Indoor Tracking of the Next Generation First Responder. This competition was open March - May 2015.

Prize Competition Winners and Solutions Announced

Check back here or the Challenge.gov  website for prize competition announcements taking place in DHS.