2026 Better World Project Awards

AUTM's Better World Project highlights the global impact of research commercialization and the vital role that technology transfer plays in that process. The annual Better World Project Award honors the exemplary work of one technology transfer office from the stories submitted the previous year. A record 108 stories were submitted to the Better World Project last year. The Better World Project Committee narrowed them down to three very worthy finalists.

Now it’s your turn to step in. You get to decide which incredible story takes home the 2026 Better World Project Award! Cast your vote for the finalist that inspires you most—anyone can vote. Just be sure to submit your choice by Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Noon PT.
Be sure to read the full story for each of the finalists:

Photosynthesis 2.0: From UPM Research to a Global Agritech Breakthrough 

If photosynthesis efficiency has remained largely unchanged for millions of years, could nanotechnology unlock a new layer of performance? Prof. Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid at the Universiti Putra Malaysia has developed carbon quantum dots from natural agricultural waste that, when applied to plant leaves, drive more photosynthesis to occur, a next-generation approach to light-use efficiency in plants. With QarboGrow, farmers see higher crop yields without requiring alterations to their existing growing practices. Learn more.

  

A Simple Blood Test from HKUST Is Transforming the Alzheimer’s Disease Ecosystem 

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease remains a global challenge, as conventional diagnosis methods rely on costly and invasive procedures. A team led by Professor Nancy Ip at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has developed patented blood biomarker assays that provide precise, stage-specific indicators of Alzheimer’s from a simple blood draw. The team has also developed 21-protein diagnostic panels, enabling early detection and staging of the disease with 96% accuracy across ethnic groups.   Learn more.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Innovation Powering a Pediatric Cancer Breakthrough 

Young children and early adolescents are among the most vulnerable cancer patients, with about 15,000 diagnoses each year in the U.S. Nai-Kong Cheung, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is fighting back. His team has developed innovative antibody therapeutics targeting some of the deadliest pediatric cancers. One breakthrough, Danyelza®, offers new hope for patients with neuroblastoma who have not fully responded to prior therapy. Learn more.