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R 251854Z MAY 16
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INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
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ALNAV 037/16

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/MAY//

SUBJ/2016 SECNAV INNOVATION AWARDS//

REF/A/MEMO/SECNAV MEMO/14JUL2015//

AMPN/REF A IS SECNAV INNOVATION INCENTIVES MEMO OF 14 JULY 2015//

RMKS/1.  This ALNAV message announces the Secretary of the Navy's (SECNAV's) 
Innovation Awards for 2016.

2.  Across the Department of the Navy (DON) our talented Sailors, Marines, 
and Civilians are continually creating innovative solutions to our most 
complex problems.  I want to recognize top Naval Innovators in our workforce 
and inspire the problem solvers of the future.

3.  The SECNAV Innovation Awards Program will recognize top DON individuals 
or teams who have made significant achievements in 2016 in the following 
areas:
    a.  Innovation Leadership:  Recognizes top naval leaders
    (military or civilian) who inspire innovation within their
    organization or team.  This can be done by creating an environment
    that fosters innovation or by removing unnecessary barriers that
    prevent it from occurring.
    b.  Innovation Catalyst:  Identifies the accomplishments of an
    individual who has made a significant impact to an organization by
    inspiring others to innovate or by directly supporting the
    innovative work of others.
    c.  Data Analytics:  Recognizes data savvy workforce members who
    implemented new approaches for using data analytics to improve
    performance, support decision making, or provide meaningful insight
    to existing processes.
    d.  Technology Development:  Highlights DON achievements in the
    creation of new or improved hardware, software, or tool(s)
    (Including, but not limited to:  Additive Manufacturing, Robotics,
    Human-Machine Teaming, Wearables, Virtual Reality, Unmanned Systems,
    and Renewable Energy).
    e.  Automated Process Development:  Identifies members of the DON
    workforce who implemented new approaches to processes or procedures
    through the use of automation or artificial intelligence that
    significantly advance mission accomplishment. (Potentially including
    processes developed in support of new technology adoption.)
    f.  Innovation Scholar (PME/MIDN):  These two subcategories
    recognize top academic achievements by naval officers and enlisted
    personnel in professional military education (PME) programs and
    future naval officers currently in commissioning programs (e.g.,
    USNA and NROTC Midshipmen). Academic faculty should nominate top
    academic papers focused on the future operating environment and
    emerging operational concepts and capabilities, with an emphasis on
    Human-Machine Teaming.
    g.  Enlisted Innovator:  Identifies the top ideas of our enlisted
    Sailors or Marines.  It is widely known that those closest to the
    problems often have the best solutions.  (This award category is
    submitted, verified and judged by enlisted Sailors and Marines for
    enlisted Sailors and Marines.)
    h.  Outside of the Box:  Recognizes innovative contributions that
    are cross cutting or that do not neatly align to any of the
    previously mentioned award categories.

4.  The eligibility period is from 1 January to 31 December 2016.  All DON 
commands and organizations should nominate exceptionally worthy innovators 
for the 2016 SECNAV Innovation Awards by completing the nomination form found 
at http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation.  The deadline for submissions is 31
December 2016.  Winners will be announced in March 2017.

5.  Trophy Design Contest:  I am also excited to announce our first ever 
contest to design new trophies for the SECNAV Innovation Awards.  Trophies 
should be created using cutting edge technology to celebrate the Innovation 
Award Winners and showcase the talents of our DON Sailors, Marines, and 
Civilians.  The first place designer(s) will receive a copy of their award 
and recognition as the trophy designer(s).  The contest is open to all 
Sailors, Marines and DON civilians; as individuals or as teams of no more 
than two (2) people.  Details can be found on the DON Innovation website at
http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation.  The deadline for submissions is 31 
December 2016.

6.  The Office of Strategy and Innovation is the responsible organization for 
this program and will provide additional guidance in separate correspondence.

7.  Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.//

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