According to the Communication and Information Center in the Vice Presidency of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, Hossein Afshin, Vice President of Science, stated that the "NEXT" National Technology Award supports the continuity and movement of knowledge-based companies, and added: "In the second round of the NEXT National Technology Award, projects based on leading and superior technologies of knowledge-based companies in three areas of "quantum, optics and microelectronics", "advanced materials and manufacturing", and "biotechnology and precision medicine" were judged and made it to the final stage."

Afshin, referring to the participation of more than 135 knowledge-based companies and the submission of technological plans to the secretariat of this round of the award, stated: The basis for selecting the selected companies was to present a technological plan with a minimum Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) and have at least three knowledge-based products with a Technology Readiness Level 8. After the judging and evaluation process, 7 companies were ultimately selected in the field of materials technology and advanced manufacturing, 8 companies in the field of quantum and electronics, and 7 companies in the third group, namely biotechnology and precision medicine, made it to the final stage of this award.

Referring to the identification and support of innovative ideas based on emerging technologies in the form of the Next Award, the head of the National Elites Foundation continued: "Given the role of mature and leading knowledge-based companies in creating efficient and value-creating products and services from emerging and advanced technologies, this award is designed to support knowledge-based companies that have reached a good level of technological readiness so that these companies can help develop new technologies and evolve the technology chain."

Toward the Third Round of the Next National Technology Award

The Vice President of Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy stated that the Next National Award focuses on the most advanced and priority areas of technology in each round. In the third round of the Next National Technology Award, the areas of water, energy, and agriculture have been considered the most important technological priorities.

Afshin, referring to the award held by the Vice Presidency of Science to encourage knowledge-based companies to develop future technologies in mature companies, stated: "This award is held to identify, support, and commercialize advanced technologies to address the challenges of water, energy, and food security."

One hundred billion Tomans budget allocation for "Next" awards

Referring to the awards given to the winners of this round of the Next National Technology Award, the Vice President of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy added: "In this round, we allocated a cash prize of 5 billion Tomans and 15 billion Tomans in facilities to the first place winner in each technology category. The second-place winners in each category received a cash prize of 3 billion Tomans and 9 billion Tomans in facilities, and the third-place winners were awarded a cash prize of 2 billion Tomans and 6 billion Tomans in facilities. Also, in each technology field, companies that had taken a step forward in the use of new technologies in the development of their products were honored in the "Pioneering Award" section and received smart facilities (convertible to grants) of 2 to 6 billion Tomans and facilities with conditional interest.

Afshin, referring to the achievements of the previous editions of the award, stated: "In the second year of the NEXT Award, the Vice Presidency of Science has provided more than 100 billion Tomans in financial support for the continuation of innovation and technology in knowledge-based companies in the form of grants and technological development and commercialization facilities. This award was made to promote and encourage companies to develop emerging technologies for the development of the industry and technological entrepreneurship."

Selecting the next host via a call

Referring to the process of holding the next edition of the Next National Technology Award, the Vice President of Science said: "To hold this event next year, the host of the event will be selected through a public call."

Referring to how to announce readiness to host the third edition of the Next Award, the Vice President of Science said: "Science and technology parks and scientific and research towns in the provinces that apply to host the third edition of the Next event have the opportunity to announce their proposal in a letter ."

Afshin concluded by emphasizing the need for cooperation between the public and private sectors to develop the country's strategic technologies, adding: "By focusing on the country's fundamental challenges in the fields of water, energy, and agriculture, effective steps can be taken towards sustainable development and strengthening the knowledge-based economy."