Awards fund innovation

Purpose – The paper aims to look at the Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation from the Royal Society. Design/methodology/approach – The paper investigates the Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation, which are aimed at individuals or groups working in the general area of the built environment. Findings – The paper finds that the Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation are intended to fund the development of an already proven concept or prototype through to the creation of a near‐market product for commercial exploitation. In addition to the main awards, The Royal Society has given Brian Mercer Awards for Feasibility to seven projects that it believes could become successful products in the coming years. One of these is a new wastewater treatment system that will not only recycle waste but will also produce reusable water, enough energy to power itself, and will be smaller than traditional plants has won a top Innovation Award. Originality/value – The paper provides useful information on Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation.