Introduction
The Mensa Foundation’s understanding of intelligence continues to expand beyond a single measure or discipline. Creativity, applied insight, and problem-solving that benefits others are central to that view. The Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement reflects this broader understanding by recognizing work that is original, implemented, and demonstrably useful.
The Foundation is now accepting nominations and self-submissions for the Copper Black Award.
Submission deadline: March 1
What the Copper Black Award Recognizes
Established through the legacy of Copper Black, this annual award honors either a person’s overall creativity or a specific creative achievement. Eligible work may include an invention, system, process, or other innovation that has been implemented or shown to have practical value, at least in part, to the advantage of people other than the nominee.
Creativity is not limited to any one field. The award recognizes applied ideas across science, medicine, education, technology, the arts, and community problem-solving.
Examples of Recognized Impact
Past recipients illustrate the range of creative achievement the award is intended to recognize.
- Dr. Mark Cohen created the National Recall Alert Center, a medical recall warning system that helps hospitals identify recalled products and remove them from use.
- Jerry Martin developed and implemented a community-based model that uses team Sudoku competitions to strengthen students’ logical reasoning and collaboration skills.
- The award has also recognized young innovators, including Natalie Hampton., who created the Sit With Us app as a teenager to help students find a welcoming place to sit at lunch and reduce social isolation.
These examples reflect different fields and stages of life. There is no age requirement. What matters is that the work is original, implemented, and beneficial to others.
Who Should Submit or Be Nominated
Eligibility: The nominee must be a Mensa member.
The Foundation welcomes:
- Self-submissions from creators and innovators
- Nominations of individuals whose work meets the award criteria
If you are unsure whether a project qualifies, consider whether it represents a clear creative contribution and whether it has been put into practice or otherwise demonstrated to help others.
Submit or Nominate
If you have created work that has been implemented or shown to provide practical benefit, or if you know someone whose work should be considered, the Foundation invites you to submit a nomination or self-submission.
All materials must be submitted by March 1.
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