Iowa State University received the top Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Award on Tuesday at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities conference. The event honors institutions that are “performing exemplary work to advance the economic well-being of their states, regions and the nation,” according to a press release. This was the first year that Iowa State has received the top award, which recognizes “overall excellence across three award categories – talent, place and innovation.” “Winning the top award from APLU affirms Iowa State University is a national leader in research, innovation and entrepreneurship,” ISU President Wendy Wintersteen said in a prepared statement. The award highlighted four examples of Iowa State’s innovation and entrepreneurial resources: the Iowa State Venture Mentoring Service, the Ivy Sales Forum, the BioCentury Research Farm and the Agriculture Innovation Lab.