History of the ICB
The Board was formed to review waivers of title to inventions by NASA contractors and to award money for scientific and technical contributions that are of significant value in conducting aeronautical and space activities. Created by the original Space Act of 1958, the Board itself was a visionary, innovative, and historical concept that has continually chronicled NASA’s challenges and innovations.
The Board’s inception was visionary because there was little precedent. A forward-looking Congress recognized that if NASA was to achieve one of its chartered purposes—“the preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology”—then incentives must be given to the new agency’s scientists, engineers, and technologists to create and invent technologies that would be needed by the fledgling space program. Today, these contributors are honored with awards for innovations that have been reported in NASA Tech Briefs, software that have been approved by NASA for release to qualified users, and inventions that have received approval for patent applications by NASA under the Space Act.
ICB Award Archives
NASA ICB 2022 Awards
NASA ICB 2021 Awards
NASA ICB 2020 Awards
NASA ICB 2019 Awards
NASA ICB 2018 Awards
NASA ICB 2017 Awards
NASA ICB 2016 Awards
NASA ICB 2015 Awards
NASA ICB 2014 Awards
NASA ICB 2013 Awards
NASA ICB 2012 Awards
NASA ICB 2011 Awards
NASA ICB 2010 Awards
NASA ICB 2009 Awards
NASA ICB 2008 Awards
NASA ICB 2007 Awards
NASA ICB 2006 Awards
NASA ICB 2005 Awards
NASA ICB 2004 Awards
NASA ICB 2003 Awards
NASA ICB 2002 Awards
NASA ICB 2001 Awards
NASA ICB 2000 Awards