Space and defense
innovator of the
year Awards
Honoring leaders and innovators across government, industry, and academia who are setting new standards, breaking boundaries, and redefining what’s possible for national security.
2025 SDI Awards
Applications are now open for the 2025 SDI Awards!
Presented by SDI Events and Defense News, The Space and Defense Innovator of the Year Awards (SDI Awards) honor exceptional individuals driving the future of aerospace and defense and recognize leaders and innovators across government, industry, and academia who are setting new standards, breaking boundaries, and redefining what’s possible for across the aerospace and defense sectors.
An expert panel of judges comprised of leaders from across the aerospace and defense innovation ecosystem will evaluate submissions, identifying those who are committed to advancing national security, making groundbreaking advancements in space and defense innovation, and who exemplify leadership and vision in their respective organizations and in the larger aerospace and defense community.
Winners will be announced at the SDI Reception in Austin, TX, on March 8, 2025.
Nominations close on January 20, 2025.
Award Categories
Senior Government Leader
Recognizes senior government officials driving visionary policies and initiatives in aerospace and defense.
Role Requirements: Nominees must hold a senior-level position in a government agency or department related to aerospace or defense. Examples include directors, assistant directors, commissioners, or equivalent executive positions.
Experience: Nominees should demonstrate a track record of strategic impact, policy leadership, or innovation at an organizational or national level.
Grade Levels: Military: O6+ | E8+ | GS: GS15+
Scope of Impact: Contributions should show a broad, systemic impact within aerospace and defense sectors, ideally influencing policy, national security, or major cross-agency initiatives.
Mid-Career Government Leader
Celebrates mid-career leaders who excel in translating strategy into impactful, innovative projects.
Role Requirements :
Nominees should be mid-level professionals (e.g., program managers, project leads, branch chiefs) within government agencies or departments associated with aerospace and defense.
Experience: Nominees should have a consistent record of high performance, creativity, and innovation in managing programs or driving mission-related success.
Grade Levels: Military: O4-5 | E6/7 | GS: 13-14
Scope of Impact : Contributions should include project leadership or process innovations that advance agency goals or improve efficiencies, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and lead within their teams.
Rising Government Star
Highlights promising, early career government leaders who bring fresh perspectives and forward-thinking solutions.
Role Requirements: Nominees must be emerging professionals or junior leaders (e.g., analysts, junior engineers, program coordinators) working in aerospace and defense, either within government or industry.
Experience: Nominees should have less than 5 years of experience in the field, showcasing potential and drive through exceptional early-career achievements or contributions.
Grade Levels: Military: O3 / E5 and below | GS: 12 and below
Scope of Impact: Contributions should include fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving, or innovative thinking that contributes meaningfully to their organization’s mission, signaling strong future leadership potential.
Industry Trailblazer (400+ employees)
Honors executives at large firms who are advancing game-changing innovations and strategic initiatives.
Role Requirements: Nominees must be top executives (e.g., CEO, CTO, Division Head) in large aerospace and defense firms, responsible for leading large-scale initiatives and driving the company’s strategic direction at a high level.
Experience: Nominees should have a proven record of leadership in driving innovation, growth, or strategic advancements within their organization.
Scope of Impact: Contributions should include significant advancements in technology, business strategy, or partnerships that have a notable impact on the industry’s evolution or competitive landscape.
Emerging Growth Leader (50-400 employees)
Recognizes executives at mid-sized companies catalyzing growth and transformative innovation.
Role Requirements: Nominees should hold C-Suite leadership roles such as CEO, COO, playing a central role in guiding mid-sized companies through critical growth phases.
Experience: Nominees should have a demonstrated history of managing successful projects or initiatives that contribute to technological advancement or operational success.
Scope of Impact: Nominees should demonstrate tangible contributions to company growth, such as entering new markets, scaling technologies, or forming strategic partnerships. Their impact should also show how their leadership fosters a culture of innovation and drives broader industry advancements.
Rising Industry Star (up to 50 employees)
Celebrates entrepreneurs and key executives at startups pushing the boundaries of aerospace and defense innovation.
Role Requirements: Nominees must be founders, CEOs, or key executives in startups within the aerospace and defense sectors. Their role should involve direct oversight of innovative projects, business strategies, or technology development.
Experience: Nominees should have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in building and scaling early-stage companies.
Scope of Impact: Nominees must show how their innovations are driving significant advancements in aerospace or defense, whether through new technologies, business models, or unique solutions. The impact should extend beyond their startup, influencing industry trends or opening new market opportunities.
Academic and Ecosystem
Honors leaders in academia, nonprofits, and ecosystem organizations who are advancing groundbreaking research, fostering collaboration, and driving innovations that shape the future of aerospace and defense.
Role Requirements: Nominees must be faculty members, research leaders, or academic department heads at accredited universities or research institutions specializing in aerospace and defense-related fields. Their role should involve leading innovative research projects, developing new technologies, or significantly contributing to academic programs that advance aerospace and defense knowledge.
Scope of Impact: Contributions must include significant research findings, publications, or technological advancements that have influenced the aerospace and defense sectors. The nominee’s work should have a measurable impact, such as contributing to new technologies, influencing policy or industry standards, or advancing the education and training of future aerospace and defense professionals. Ideally, the nominee should also play a role in mentorship and academic leadership, inspiring the next generation of innovators and bridging academia with industry or government partnerships.
Award Category Eligibility
Senior Government Leader
Role Requirements: Nominees must hold a senior-level position in a government agency or department related to aerospace or defense. Examples include directors, assistant directors, commissioners, or equivalent executive positions.
Experience: Nominees should demonstrate a track record of strategic impact, policy leadership, or innovation at an organizational or national level.
Grade Levels: Military: O6+ | E8+ | GS: GS15+
Scope of Impact: Contributions should show a broad, systemic impact within aerospace and defense sectors, ideally influencing policy, national security, or major cross-agency initiatives.
Industry Trailblazer (400+ employees)
Role Requirements: Nominees must be top executives (e.g., CEO, CTO, Division Head) in large aerospace and defense firms, responsible for leading large-scale initiatives and driving the company’s strategic direction at a high level.
Experience: Nominees should have a proven record of leadership in driving innovation, growth, or strategic advancements within their organization.
Scope of Impact: Contributions should include significant advancements in technology, business strategy, or partnerships that have a notable impact on the industry’s evolution or competitive landscape.
Mid-Career Government Leader
Role Requirements :
Nominees should be mid-level professionals (e.g., program managers, project leads, branch chiefs) within government agencies or departments associated with aerospace and defense.
Experience: Nominees should have a consistent record of high performance, creativity, and innovation in managing programs or driving mission-related success.
Grade Levels: Military: O4-5 | E6/7 | GS: 13-14
Scope of Impact : Contributions should include project leadership or process innovations that advance agency goals or improve efficiencies, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and lead within their teams.
Emerging Growth Leader (50 to 400 employees)
Role Requirements: Nominees should hold C-Suite leadership roles such as CEO, COO, playing a central role in guiding mid-sized companies through critical growth phases.
Experience: Nominees should have a demonstrated history of managing successful projects or initiatives that contribute to technological advancement or operational success.
Scope of Impact: Nominees should demonstrate tangible contributions to company growth, such as entering new markets, scaling technologies, or forming strategic partnerships. Their impact should also show how their leadership fosters a culture of innovation and drives broader industry advancements.
Rising Government Star
Role Requirements: Nominees must be emerging professionals or junior leaders (e.g., analysts, junior engineers, program coordinators) working in aerospace and defense, either within government or industry.
Experience: Nominees should have less than 5 years of experience in the field, showcasing potential and drive through exceptional early-career achievements or contributions.
Grade Levels: Military: O3 / E5 and below | GS: 12 and below
Scope of Impact: Contributions should include fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving, or innovative thinking that contributes meaningfully to their organization’s mission, signaling strong future leadership potential.
Rising Industry Star (up to 50 employees)
Role Requirements: Nominees must be founders, CEOs, or key executives in startups within the aerospace and defense sectors. Their role should involve direct oversight of innovative projects, business strategies, or technology development.
Experience: Nominees should have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in building and scaling early-stage companies.
Scope of Impact: Nominees must show how their innovations are driving significant advancements in aerospace or defense, whether through new technologies, business models, or unique solutions. The impact should extend beyond their startup, influencing industry trends or opening new market opportunities.
Academic and Ecosystem
Role Requirements: Nominees must be faculty members, research leaders, or academic department heads at accredited universities or research institutions specializing in aerospace and defense-related fields. Their role should involve leading innovative research projects, developing new technologies, or significantly contributing to academic programs that advance aerospace and defense knowledge.
Scope of Impact: Contributions must include significant research findings, publications, or technological advancements that have influenced the aerospace and defense sectors. The nominee’s work should have a measurable impact, such as contributing to new technologies, influencing policy or industry standards, or advancing the education and training of future aerospace and defense professionals. Ideally, the nominee should also play a role in mentorship and academic leadership, inspiring the next generation of innovators and bridging academia with industry or government partnerships.
SDI Awards Prize
Presented by Defense News
Winners of the SDI Awards will be featured in Defense News, giving honorees an opportunity to showcase their impact in space and defense innovation and their contributions to enhancing our nation’s security.