UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 312141Z AUG 17 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 056/17 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/AUG// SUBJ/2017 ANNUAL SECRETARY OF THE NAVY INNOVATION AWARDS// REF/A/DOC/SECNAV/12JAN2017// REF A IS SECNAVINST 5305.6 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY INNOVATION INCENTIVES PROGRAM// POC/SCOTT HARGATE/CIV/DUSN(M) S&I/-/TEL: 703-692-8106/EMAIL: ROBERT.HARGATE@NAVY.MIL// RMKS/1. This All Navy message announces the Annual Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Innovation Awards for 2017. 2. Across the Department of the Navy (DON) our talented Sailors, Marines, and Civilians are continually creating innovative solutions to our most complex problems. The SECNAV Innovation Awards Program acknowledges top Naval Innovators in our workforce today and inspires the problem solvers of the future. 3. The Annual SECNAV Innovation Awards Program will recognize top DON individuals or teams making significant problem solving contributions in 2017 in the following areas: a. Innovation Leadership: Recognizes top Naval leaders who inspire innovation within their organization or team. This can be done by creating an environment that fosters innovation, removes unnecessary barriers, empowers others, embraces appropriate risk, and demonstrates a commitment to innovation. b. Innovation Catalyst: Identifies the accomplishments of an individual or team who has made a significant impact to an organization by inspiring others to innovate or by directly supporting the innovative work of others. This can be done by compelling others to collaborate in creative ways that are feasible and impactful. c. Data Analytics: Recognizes data savvy workforce members who implemented new approaches to analyzing data. Emphasis should be placed on how the new approaches are being used to improve performance, support decision making, provide meaningful insight to existing processes, or change how the DON is conducting business. d. Technology Development: Highlights DON achievements in the creation of new or improved hardware, software, or tool(s) that improved the effectiveness or overall mission readiness of the organization (including, but not limited to: Additive Manufacturing, Robotics, Human-Machine Teaming, Wearables, Virtual Reality, Unmanned Systems, Advanced Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Networking, 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 advanced mission accomplishment. (Potentially including processes developed in support of new technology adoption; e.g. implementation of commercial off- the-shelf products). f. Innovation Scholar (Professional Military Education): Recognizes academic research and writing by Sailors, Marines, and Civilians enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or professional military education programs. Submitters should nominate top academic papers focused on the future operating environment and emerging operational concepts and capabilities, with an emphasis on their integration into the DON. Academic papers must be submitted with the nomination, as writing and analytical quality will be considered. g. Innovation Scholar (Midshipmen): Distinguishes academic achievements by future Naval officers currently in commissioning programs (e.g., United States Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Midshipmen). Submitters should nominate top academic papers focused on the future operating environment and emerging operational concepts and capabilities, with an emphasis on their integration into the DON. Academic papers must be submitted with the nomination, as writing and analytical quality will be considered. h. 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). i. 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 2017. All DON commands and organizations should nominate exceptionally worthy innovators for the 2017 Annual SECNAV Innovation Awards by submitting a nomination form (https://go.usa.gov/xRPEz) via email to DON_Innovation@navy.mil. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2018. Winners will be announced in the Second Quarter Calendar Year 2018. 5. Trophy Design Contest: In support of the Innovation Awards above, the trophy design contest allows creative Sailors, Marines, and DON Civilians the ability to showcase their talents to recognize the Innovation Award Winners. The contest is open to all Sailors, Marines, and DON Civilians; as individuals or as teams of no more than two people. Designs will be evaluated on aesthetic appeal, manufacturing cost(s), and feasibility. Details can be found on the DON Innovation website at http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2018. 6. The Office of Strategy and Innovation is the responsible organization for this program and will provide further guidance in separate correspondence. 7. Released by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//