This entry form is for law students entering for a chance to be awarded a 2021-22 Hon. Frederick E. McKelvey scholarship, sponsored by The American Association of Patent Judges. This award is held in memory of the Honorable Frederick E. McKelvey, whose five-decade career at the United States Patent and Trademark Office was marked with a dedication to teaching, mentoring, and promoting a sense of collegiality.

To be eligible for this award, you must be matriculated at and attending (whether in-person on online) an ABA-accredited law school at least half-time as of February 28, 2022.

To be considered, fill out this form honestly and completely. Once the form is submitted, a confirmation page will appear that will give you a link to follow for submitting your entry.

For this year's entry,  identify ways patents "promote the progress of . . . useful arts" (Const.; Art. I, Sec. 8, Cl. 8) and explain how the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) can encourage that. In your answer, please define "useful arts."  

Your work must be no longer than 1,500 words. We recommend using 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper with a 12 point or larger font and line spacing of 1.5.

Each entry will be graded based 40% on how well the entry interprets the theme, 30% on how effect the entry is in engendering interest in the theme, 20% on the overall structure of the entry, and 10% for technical accuracy, effective formatting, and other non-substantive considerations.

An overall winner will be selected to receive a cash award of $500 and a plaque. Up to two runners up will each receive $250 and a certificate.

Your entry must be submitted as a PDF file no larger than 2 megabytes in size. You may only submit one entry. You must provide permission to publish your entry.

All entries must be submitted by May 31, 2022, at Midnight.

If you have any questions or issues, please contact jvmorgan@gmail.com for support.

[Please note that the grading metrics were updated March 10, 2022]