75 INNOVATIONS NOMINATED FOR THE 2020 MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGY PRIZE

A total of 75 innovations (invented by altogether 257 innovators) were nominated for the 2020 Millennium Technology Prize. The number of nominations was similar to the previous round held in 2017. The majority of the nominations were in the fields of life

sciences, including health and food, as well as in information and communications technology and smart systems.

Nominations were received from every continent. European organizations were most active in nominating candidates, followed by organizations from Asia. In third place came candidates from North America. Universities and research institutions were the most active in making nominations for the 2020 Millennium Technology Prize, although nominations filed by industry were on the rise.

The percentage of female nominees was still considerably low with only 13 percent of the nominees involving women. Despite efforts by the organisers of the prize, Technology Academy Finland, the proportion of women nominated for the Millennium Technology Prize has remained at the same level as in the previous two nomination periods (2017, 2015).

The nomination period was open from 1 April to 31 July 2019; the nominees will now be thoroughly evaluated during the autumn and winter. The evaluation will be carried out by the International Millennium Technology Prize Selection Committee, the members of which represent a comprehensive range of technological fields. Based on the evaluation, the International Selection Committee will make a consensus decision of whom to propose to the Board of Technology Academy Finland as the Millennium Technology Prize winner(s). Based on the proposal, the Board of Technology Academy Finland decides on the Prize Winner(s).

The Winner(s) will be announced on 26 May 2020 at the 2020 Millennium Technology Prize Award Ceremony.