Participation in the competition, apart from prizes, provides all competitors with free professional help in the form of education through training and consulting. Then, free media support, as well as continuous monitoring and assistance in the years following the completion of participation in the competition. In the category of high school and student teams, the teams are composed of at least three members, with the appointment of their representative, with an idea that should represent an improvement in relation to existing, commonly known solutions. High school teams are supported by mentors.

Realized innovations - teams that have a finished prototype ready for the market, have a built-in consumption for production or are already on the market with the innovation, can apply in this category. The minimum prerequisite is the existence of a functional prototype. Anything more than that, like mass production, is an added advantage. The innovative village category is intended for teams where at least one member of the team is a representative of the registered association, company or farm.

Only teams composed of at least three members, who can be natural or legal entities in the category of realized innovation, have the right to participate in the NTI. Teams composed of at least three representatives of the same or different villages (local communities), physical and/or legal entities, have the right to participate in the competition in the innovative village category.

All applications require online filling of an electronic form via the website www.innovation.org.