Participants
Independent Inventor Program
We envision a world in which all young learners have access to innovation, invention, and entrepreneurial learning to gain the confidence and skills to control their own destiny and help shape a better future.
ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Participate?
The ICW Independent Inventor Program (IIP) is designed for students in the United States that have a passion for inventing and educators who are interested in including invention curriculum into their classrooms and find themselves in one of the following categories:
You live in a state that does not currently have an ICW affiliate or program
You are a K-12 student who is outside of the grade or age-range supported by your local ICW program
You are a homeschooled student and your ICW affiliate or program does not accept individual participants (many ICW affiliates do accept independent inventors, so it’s important to check with your region’s ICW affiliate program first)
Students may only participate in the IIP if they do not have access to participating in a local or state affiliate and students may only participate in one Invention Convention pathway
Useful Links
Rubric and Supporting Materials
Youth Inventor Connects
Coming Soon!
Double Check Eligiblity for IIP
Confirm there are no local programs in your state
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Register your Intent to Participate
We welcome educators and parents to register your interest in participating in the 2026 Independent Inventor Program (IIP) Invention Convention. Intent to participate must be submitted by January 23, 2026.
Important Dates
Intent To Participate deadline
Teachers communicate participation numbers to IIP. Independent Inventors communicate intent to participate to Independent Inventor Program.
Invitations to the Independent Inventor Program competition will be sent out.
Event Registration opens for students
Students who have received an invitation to compete in the IIP Competition register on the IIP ZFAIRS site (link will come with the invitations).
Deadline for registered students to complete entry
Independent Inventor Program competition judging begins
Independent Inventor Program competition judging ends
Invention Convention U.S. Nationals qualifiers will be notified and announced on the ICW website and ICW Facebook page
Invention Convention U.S. Nationals competition at The Henry Ford
Qualifying inventions will be invited to compete at the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals competition at The Henry Ford.
Information Session
Want to learn more about the Independent Inventor Program and our staff? Please Register for an information session.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
6-8 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
6-8 p.m. EDT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Thursday, October 9, 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Thursday, October 14, 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Thursday, November 13. 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Saturday, November 15, 2025
9-11 a.m. EST
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
6-8 p.m. EST
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10-12 p.m. EST
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
6-8 p.m. EST
Thursday, January 8, 2026
6-8 p.m. EST
Saturday, January 10, 2026
9-11 a.m. EST
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