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###### Department of Commerce

######  Patent and Trademark Office

          - [Docket No. PTO-C-2014-0074]

# AGENCY:

United States Patent and Trademark Office.

# ACTION:

Notice and request for nominations.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is accepting nominations for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI). Since establishment by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, the President of the United States has awarded the annual National Medal of Technology and Innovation (initially known as the National Medal of Technology) to our nation's leading innovators. If you know of a candidate who has made an outstanding contribution to the country's economic, environmental, or social well-being through the promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development of technological manpower, you may obtain a nomination form from:                         *http://www.uspto.gov/​about/​nmti/​index.jsp.*

# ADDRESSES:

                        The NMTI nomination form for the year 2015 may be obtained by visiting the USPTO Web site at                         *http://www.uspto.gov/​about/​nmti/​index.jsp.*                         Nomination applications should be submitted to John Palafoutas, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, by electronic mail to                         *NMTI@uspto.gov*                         or by postal mail to: John Palafoutas, NMTI Program Manager, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.                    

# DATES:

The deadline for submission of a nomination is June 1, 2015.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        John Palafoutas, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; by telephone: (571) 272-9821 or by electronic mail:                         *nmti@uspto.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

                    As provided by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, the National Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. On August 9, 2007, the President signed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007. The Act amended Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, changing the name of the Medal to the “National Medal of Technology and Innovation.” The NMTI is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators in the                           ( print page 3567)                        field of technology and is given annually to individuals, teams, or companies/non-profits who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology or technological innovation, or to the development of technological manpower, for the improvement of the economic, environmental, or social well-being of the United States. The primary purpose of the NMTI is to recognize American innovators whose vision, creativity, and brilliance in moving ideas to market or in developing the nation's technological manpower has had a profound and significant impact on our economy and way of life. The NMTI highlights the national importance of fostering technological innovation based upon solid science, resulting in commercially successful products and services.                

## Eligibility and Nomination Criteria

                    Nomination Guidelines containing information on eligibility and nomination criteria are available at                     *http://www.uspto.gov/​about/​nmti/​guidelines.jsp.*

Dated: December 18, 2014.

Michelle K. Lee,

Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

[FR Doc. 2015-01123 Filed 1-22-15; 8:45 am]

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