Any company, organization, agency, or individual involved in creating or marketing an invention that has – or will hit – a major milestone between October 2024 and October 2025 is eligible to submit an invention. More details about eligibility are available in our official rules.

If you have been honored in the past, we encourage you to apply again. Submit a new invention or the same invention again if it will reach – or you expect it to reach – a major milestone between October 2024 and October 2025.

Yes, the application fee is $535 from March 26, 2025 through April 25, 2025 (Early Deadline); $745 from April 26, 2025 through May 23, 2025 (Standard Deadline); $895 from May 24, 2025 through June 20, 2025 (Final Deadline). The application fee applies to each category entered.

All applications must be received and fully completed by the relevant deadline: Early Deadline is April 25, 2025 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT; Standard Deadline is May 23, 2025 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT; Final Deadline is June 20, 2025 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT.

Yes, multiple inventions can be submitted by the same company, organization, agency or individual, but each invention requires its own application.

Yes, you can submit your invention in multiple categories, but a separate application fee will apply to each one. Your invention can only be recognized once. However, entering it in multiple categories ensures it will be evaluated against its peers. If your invention is a top contender in multiple categories, TIME's editors will choose the most suitable category.

Yes, even if your invention did not debut in 2025, you can apply if your invention has hit – or is expected to hit – a major milestone between October 2024 and October 2025. Examples of major milestones include: surpassing a sales goal, winning a major industry accolade, securing an important partnership, unveiling a working prototype, and/or announcing an expansion.

Yes, you can submit your invention if you can prove it has moved beyond the concept stage and is nearing completion. If your invention will stay in the prototype or concept stage for the foreseeable future, you can submit it in the Experimental category.

Yes, you can submit your invention provided it will be publicly announced on or before October 2025.

The Best Inventions list will be published in October 2025. The exact timing will be announced at a later date.

The list will appear and be promoted to TIME's global audience of 120 million across TIME's print magazine, website, and social media channels X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

All inventions chosen for the list receive a short write-up outlining its function and significance. Select inventions may also be featured on the cover of TIME.

While TIME cannot guarantee external promotion, the TIME Best Inventions list has historically garnered substantial global media attention. Additionally, you and/or your company can license TIME Best Inventions content and seal for use in your own marketing and promotional materials.

To compile the list of Best Inventions, TIME solicits nominations through an online application process, and conducts research via our global network of expert contributors and editors. The TIME editorial team then evaluates each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

The list is not ranked. All 200 inventions are considered TIME's Best Inventions of 2025. There are also an additional 50 Special Mention inventions named.

We will notify applicants on a rolling basis in October 2025, prior to the list publication.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to help.timebestinventions@awards-support.com.