The Lemelson Foundation
Inventions change our world.

Invention has the power to improve lives

We believe inventors will solve our biggest challenges,
and improve lives in communities in the U.S. and around the world.

Inventor Spotlight

Angela Belcher

Genetically engineered viruses to create new products

Hugh Neri and Skyler Pearson

Nexgarden: High-efficiency vertical farming for sustainable, healthy food

David Sengeh

Custom-designable socket for more comfortable prosthetic legs

The Lemelson Foundation

supports the people and systems needed to advance impact invention through the creation of products that have positive social impact, reflect environmental responsibility and support financially self-sustaining businesses.

ToucHb: needle-free anemia testing

From Idea to Impact

From Idea to Impact

Latest News

Inventing a Better Insect Trap

How One Pennsylvania Teen Found Inspiration in Her Own Backyard

Brian Doran Joins The Lemelson Foundation to Direct Financial and Administrative Operations
The Case for Invention Education

How Integrating Empathy into STEM Can Transform Learning for Students and Teachers

Are Robots Really Coming For Our Jobs?

What We’ve Learned From Previous Industrial Revolutions

The Lemelson Foundation Story

Inspiring and educating the next generation of inventors and catalyzing their ideas into invention-based businesses and commercial technologies.

What We Fund

Learn more about our grantmaking process.

Are You Eligible?

Learn how we evaluate potential grants.