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Awards

Copper Black Award
for Creativity

The Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement honors Mensa members whose innovative solutions and practical creativity have brought meaningful benefits to the world.

Details

The Copper Black Award annually recognizes Mensa International members who have demonstrated a specific creative achievement with practical value. This award honors innovations that have been implemented, at least in part, to benefit others.

Award Components

  • $1,000 Prize: A monetary award recognizing the practical value and impact of the recipient’s creative achievement.
  • Personal Plaque: A commemorative plaque celebrating the recipient’s innovative contribution.

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Criteria

Key Eligibility Requirements

We welcome original research reports and theoretical papers that propose new research directions or review existing findings, providing fresh perspectives in the field of intelligence.

Criteria for Entry
  • Field Relevance: Papers must address topics related to intelligence, intellectual giftedness, creativity, or related fields.
  • Peer Review: Entries must have been published in or accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or presented at a peer-reviewed professional conference within the past three years.
  • Word Limit: Papers must not exceed 20,000 words (excluding abstracts, references, and appendices).
  • Author Classification:
    • Junior Investigators: Graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, or those with less than seven years of experience in their current field.
    • Senior Investigators: Researchers who earned their doctoral degree more than seven years ago or have significant experience in their field.
Submission Guidelines
  • Language: Submissions must be in English or include an English translation.
  • Supporting Materials: Provide a complete reference for the publication, along with any necessary supplemental materials to explain the research.
  • Designate Investigator Category: Clearly indicate if the entry is for the Junior or Senior Investigator category.
  • Eligibility Updates: If a paper is accepted for publication but not yet published, submit the manuscript or galley proofs by the deadline, followed by the complete reference upon publication.
What not to Submit
  • Unverified Work: Submissions that lack peer-review or sufficient documentation.
  • Ordinary Literature Reviews: Reviews that do not offer new directions or focus for the field.
  • Non-Research Articles: Chapters from books, textbooks, or articles written for general audiences.
  • Repeated Submissions: Papers previously recognized with an award cannot be resubmitted, nor can winning authors submit as primary authors within three years of receiving an award.
  • Excessive Materials: Limit submissions to one paper as the first author and up to three papers as a co-author. Additional materials will not be reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Contact us at awards@mensafoundation.edu.

What is the Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement?

The Copper Black Award honors a specific creative achievement by a member of Mensa International that has demonstrated practical value and benefited others.

Who is eligible for the Copper Black Award?

To be eligible, nominees must be current members of Mensa International or a national Mensa group during the award year. The achievement must have been implemented within the past three years.

Can artistic works be submitted for the award?

No, artistic works such as paintings, music, choreography, or fiction are not eligible. The award focuses on practical creativity that directly addresses problems or improves processes for others.

How do I apply for the Copper Black Award?

Applications can be submitted online or by mail. The submission must include a completed nomination form, a description of the achievement, and supporting documentation, such as testimonials or press clippings.

What criteria are used to evaluate submissions?
  • Creativity and ingenuity of the achievement.
  • Degree of implementation and practical impact.
  • Relevance to Mensa International or the Mensa Foundation’s goals.
  • Recency of the achievement (if two submissions are of equal value).
What do winners of the Copper Black Award receive?
  • A $1,000 monetary prize.
  • A personalized plaque recognizing their achievement.
  • Public recognition of their creative contribution.
Can I nominate myself for the award?

Yes, self-nominations are welcome, provided the nominee meets all eligibility requirements and the submission includes the necessary documentation.

Can a previous submission be reconsidered?

Yes, but only if substantial new information about the implementation or impact of the achievement is included in the new submission.

How is the winner selected?

The Copper Black Award Committee evaluates all submissions and ranks them based on creativity, implementation, and impact. The most outstanding achievement is selected as the winner.

Winners

Current Winner

Recognized for creating a groundbreaking recall system that has enhanced patient safety across the U.S. healthcare system.

Dr. Mark N. Cohen was honored for founding the National Recall Alert Center (NRAC), a system that has safeguarded patient safety for over 50 years by streamlining the communication of medical product recalls.

Foundation Awards - Mark Cohen

Dr. Mark N. Cohen, M.D.

Copper Black Award Winner, 2024-2025
Foundation Awards - Mark Cohen

Dr. Mark N. Cohen, M.D.

Recognized for creating a groundbreaking recall system that has enhanced patient safety across the U.S. healthcare system.

Abstract:

Dr. Mark N. Cohen was honored for founding the National Recall Alert Center (NRAC), a system that has safeguarded patient safety for over 50 years by streamlining the communication of medical product recalls. Motivated by a personal tragedy, Dr. Cohen created the NRAC to connect manufacturers with hospitals, ensuring recalled products are quickly identified and removed from use. The system, now trusted by 80% of U.S. hospitals, integrates artificial intelligence to manage recalls efficiently, preventing harm to hundreds of thousands of patients daily.

Past Winners

Discover the innovative Mensa members honored with the Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement, celebrating their practical and impactful solutions that have made a difference in the world.