On the back of heightened global interest in health and wellness, the concept of ‘beauty-from-within’ has gained fresh impetus in recent years. Our Ingredient of the Year category for Beauty-from-within looks to celebrate the best the industry has to offer in tailored nutritional solutions to maintain and enhance skin, nail and hair care across all age groups. Today’s leading ingredients go beyond appearance to support skin barrier function, hydration, elasticity, cellular vitality, and stress resilience. Eligible entries may include ingredients such as collagen peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, adaptogens, probiotics, postbiotics, and botanical extracts—all backed by scientific substantiation and consumer relevance.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

Botanical ingredients are seeing a resurgence in interest from the industry and consumers, following new science and growing appreciation for therapeutic properties of plant-based solutions. This award celebrates the best branded or own-label botanical ingredients.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

With the global population aging and a growing number of over-50s worldwide, the demand for nutritional solutions that support aging well is accelerating. This award celebrates the most innovative ingredients designed to extend healthspan—the years lived in good health—by addressing the biological and functional challenges of aging. From cutting-edge ingredients that support cellular health, including mitochondrial function, senescence, and oxidative stress, to those targeting inflammaging, metabolic resilience, muscle preservation, cognitive function, and gut microbiome balance, this category recognises science-backed solutions that help maintain physical and mental vitality. We welcome entries that demonstrate:

• Strong scientific substantiation and safety 
• Mechanisms of action aligned with the hallmarks of aging
• Potential to reduce the risk of frailty, chronic inflammation, or age-related decline
• Relevance to consumer demand for proactive, personalised, and preventive approaches to aging

This award honours ingredients that empower consumers to take control of their healthspan—living longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredient Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

Microbiome science is rapidly evolving, expanding beyond traditional probiotics and prebiotics to include synbiotics, postbiotics, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), bacteriophages, and next-generation probiotics. This award celebrates the most innovative ingredients designed to modulate the microbiome in ways that support health, resilience, and overall wellbeing.

Today’s leading ingredients go beyond isolated strains to nourish the full microbial ecosystem—leveraging novel fibres, metabolite-rich compounds, and multi-strain synergies to promote diversity, stability, and functionality across the gut, skin, and other microbiome niches.

This award celebrates ingredients that are pushing the boundaries of microbiome modulation—combining rigorous science with real-world impact.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredient Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

Our award for Ingredient of the Year Mind and Mood aims to celebrate the best ingredients dedicated to supporting cognition, memory, alertness, mood, stress, anxiety, relaxation, sleep and brain recovery. All ingredients specifically designed for and marketed with brain health applications are eligible for entry into this award, including increasingly popular nootropics and adaptogens, and ingredients that support the gut-brain axis. From solutions aimed at improving focus of gamers and students to solutions that help busy professionals manage sleep, stress and enhance mental clarity, this award celebrates ingredients tailored to the evolving demands of the mind and mood space.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

Sports and active nutrition is no longer just for elite athletes — it’s a lifestyle category serving performance-focused individuals and everyday active consumers alike. This award celebrates the most innovative ingredients designed to enhance energy, endurance, recovery, hydration, muscle health, and joint support. All ingredients specifically formulated for and marketed within sports nutrition applications are eligible, from advanced nutrient combinations for high-performance athletes to convenient solutions for on-the-go consumers. Today’s leading ingredients reflect developments in science-backed bioactives as well as clean label, and multi-functional formats.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

As holistic wellness continues to shape consumer choices, ingestible beauty is evolving into a dynamic category that blends nutrition, skin science, and self-care. Today’s consumers seek products that not only enhance appearance but also support skin barrier function, hydration, elasticity, and stress resilience — all from the inside out. Whether in ready-to-drink, snackable formats, or traditional supplements, the fusion of nutrition and beauty is reaching new heights. Our Beauty-from-within Product of the Year category celebrates excellence in branded or own-label supplements, functional foods, and beverages designed to support beauty from within. This includes products that nourish skin, hair and nails across all age groups, setting new standards for innovation and effectiveness in the beauty industry. Eligible products may target skin, hair, nails, and overall cellular vitality, leveraging ingredients such as collagen peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, adaptogens, probiotics, postbiotics, and botanical extracts.

Our Judges will look at how your product meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• Whether your product meets a genuine consumer demand, and how relevant the core ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Brand recognition and the commercial success of your product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of your product
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence that your product and its delivery system(s) has no, or beneficial, impact on bioavailability (especially if citing single ingredient data)
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in Europe.

Entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

The growing science of cellular aging is transforming the healthy aging marketplace. From supporting the 12 hallmarks of aging — including mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, dysbiosis, and inflammaging — to targeting the microbiome, skin health, and overall cellular resilience, innovation in this space is accelerating. This award celebrates the most impactful branded or own-label supplements, functional foods, and beverages designed to support healthspan — the period of life spent in good health — rather than simply extending lifespan. Products in this category reflect cutting-edge research and consumer demand for proactive, science-backed approaches to aging well.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Whether your product meets a genuine consumer demand, and how relevant the core ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Brand recognition and the commercial success of your product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of your product
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence that your product and its delivery system(s) has no, or beneficial, impact on bioavailability (especially if citing single ingredient data)
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in Europe.

Entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

Immune health continues to be a cornerstone of consumer wellness, evolving from seasonal support to a year-round, proactive lifestyle focus. The latest science highlights the gut-immune axis, microbiome modulation, and inflammation balance as key pathways for supporting immune resilience. This award celebrates the best branded or own-label supplements, functional foods and beverages for supporting immune health.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Whether your product meets a genuine consumer demand, and how relevant the core ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Brand recognition and the commercial success of your product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of your product
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence that your product and its delivery system(s) has no, or beneficial, impact on bioavailability (especially if citing single ingredient data)
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in Europe.

Entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

Microbiome innovation is entering a new era, expanding beyond probiotics and prebiotics to include synbiotics, postbiotics, HMOs, and even bacteriophages. This award celebrates the most forward-thinking branded or own-label supplements, functional foods, and beverages designed to support numerous health functions, and overall well-being through targeted microbiome modulation.

Today’s products are increasingly focused on feeding the full microbial ecosystem, not just isolated strains — using upcycled and novel fibres, metabolite-rich formulations, and multi-strain synergies to promote microbiome diversity and resilience. With growing interest in the gut-brain-skin axis, and technologies that enable precision delivery, this category recognises excellence in science-led innovation, format creativity, and consumer relevance in the microbiome space.

This award celebrates the best branded or own-label supplements, functional foods and beverages for modulating the microbiome to improve health.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Whether your product meets a genuine consumer demand, and how relevant the core ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Brand recognition and the commercial success of your product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of your product
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence of that your product and its delivery system(s) has no, or beneficial, impact on bioavailability (especially if citing single ingredient data)
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in Europe.

Entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

Sports and active nutrition is no longer just for elite athletes — it’s now a lifestyle category serving both performance-driven individuals and everyday active consumers. This award celebrates the most innovative branded or own-label supplements, functional foods, and beverages designed to support energy, endurance, recovery, hydration, muscle health, and joint support.

Today’s products reflect cutting-edge developments in personalized nutrition, clean label formulations, and multi-functional formats — from protein gummies and hydration powders to creatine RTDs and nootropic-enhanced blends. Ingredients like beta-alanine, tart cherry extract, magnesium, L-theanine, adaptogens, and functional mushrooms are being used to support both physical and cognitive performance. With growing interest in bioactive compounds, gut-brain axis support, and holistic wellness, this category honours those redefining sports nutrition through science-led innovation, format creativity, and consumer relevance.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Whether your product meets a genuine consumer demand, and how relevant the core ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Brand recognition and the commercial success of your product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of your product
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence that your product and its delivery system(s) has no, or beneficial, impact on bioavailability (especially if citing single ingredient data)
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in Europe.

Entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

Achieving Net Zero by 2030 and meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands bold action, innovation, and collaboration across the Nutra community — no player can be left behind. This award celebrates novel, impact-driven sustainability initiatives in Europe that are helping reshape the industry through eco-conscious ingredient sourcing, low-impact manufacturing, upcycled materials, and responsible packaging. Whether through regenerative agriculture, circular economy models, or transparency in supply chains, this category honours those leading the way in environmental stewardship, ethical innovation, and long-term resilience.

Our judges will base their decision on evidence for:

• A development that means the use of nutritional ingredient(s) are possible in new food or beverage format(s)
• A novel or innovative delivery system that meets a consumer need or trend
• Solid scientific evidence for the product’s claims Commercial success, including evidence of retailer and consumer interest and any other accolades won
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category , click to download

Entries for the NutraIngredients Europe Editors' Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year must be initiated or led from Europe, even if the impact is delivered at source — whether in Africa, South America, Asia, or elsewhere. The award recognises sustainability-driven initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Innovation in women’s health is accelerating, with products and ingredients addressing key life-stage challenges — from menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause, to pelvic health, hormonal balance, and sexual wellness. Brands are increasingly pioneering full-cycle support supplements for conditions such as PMS, PMDD, PCOS, and endometriosis, reflecting a new wave of targeted, science-backed solutions. With growing recognition of the need for female-focused research, gender-specific formulations, and inclusive product development, this award celebrates those leading the way. This category honours the most impactful ingredients, supplements, functional foods, and research projects designed to support women’s health and well-being — as well as women-led start-ups driving meaningful change in the industry.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• If your entry relates to a research project specific to women’s health or to a start-up, the goals and how women’s empowerment or health have been addressed in the project
• For ingredients and products - solid scientific evidence that demonstrates a unique nutritional solution – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Where relevant, packaging ease of use and design, including appeal, ease of use, novelty
• Where relevant, commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s).
• What gives your entry the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition
  

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Innovations in Women's Health Award, if ingredient or product-based, are required to have the ingredients or products commercially available in Europe.

If research project specific to women’s health or female founded start-up-based, are required to have direct activity in Europe.

Finished product entry holders for this category are also required to submit 4 samples of their finished product for judging. More details & instructions will be shared when an entry is submitted.

Educating consumers on the profound impact of diet and physical activity on health is essential for the wellbeing of our society and the continued growth of the nutrition industry. The Marketing Initiative of the Year award is designed to reward exceptional achievements in nutra marketing of finished products. We invite entries from organizations that have showcased innovation, creativity, and effectiveness in developing new campaigns, brands or markets. This award honours outstanding projects that not only exhibit creative excellence but also effectively address key nutritional or physical activity challenges—while clearly communicating the science in a way that is engaging and easy for consumers to understand.

Our judging panel will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Be a marketing initiative that took place in the past 2 years
• Ability to educate the target audience on the impact of nutrition, and/or physical activity on their health and wellbeing
• Evidence of how well the campaign resonated with the target audience, including relevant metrics
• A unique approach that made the initiative stand out in the marketplace, including the use of latest technology
• What gives your marketing initiative the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition
  

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Marketing Initiative of the Year category are required to be carried out in Europe.

Not all heroes wear capes. The NutraChampion Award celebrates individuals who have made a transformational impact on the nutrition industry — whether through policy leadership, scientific innovation, public education, or ingredient advocacy. This award recognises those who have gone above and beyond to shape the future of nutrition. 

Entries are by nomination only and should clearly demonstrate:

• Impact: Evidence of a lasting contribution to the nutrition industry.
• Recognition: Public visibility or influence beyond the sector.
• Potential for Good: A clear commitment to advancing health, sustainability, or equity through nutrition.

Whether driving new standards, increasing public understanding, or championing change, the NutraChampion leaves a legacy that inspires the entire community.

Judges will base their decision on a combination of:

• Evidence of a lasting impact on the nutrition industry
• Wider public recognition or public impact
• The potential for good

Whether driving new standards, increasing public understanding, or championing change, the NutraChampion leaves a legacy that inspires the entire community.

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredient NutraChampion Awards are required to have an impact in Europe .

Research and development are the foundation of progress in the nutrition industry. From ingredient discovery to clinical validation, sound, peer-reviewed research is essential to back product claims, guide innovation, and inform strategic decisions. This award rewards the most impactful research project — whether academic, commercial, or collaborative — that demonstrates scientific excellence, real-world relevance, and push the boundaries of nutritional science.

Judges will look at how your research project has the potential for a positive impact on the nutrition industry, based on the following criteria:

• How the research project is designed to address a genuine consumer demand, nutrition requirement, policy issue or healthcare risk
• Whether the research has provided solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up these findings
• Evidence of good research methodology, analysis, and findings consistent with best practices
• The potential for commercial applications or wide-sweeping changes in the industry on the back of research
• What gives your research project the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Today’s start-ups and spin-outs are the future major players of the industry. This award recognises the most promising young companies—those founded within the past ten years—that are driving innovation, disrupting the status quo, and delivering measurable impact. Whether it’s a university spin-out pioneering microbiome science, a solo founder leveraging AI for personalised nutrition, or a fast-scaling venture championing sustainable, functional, or precision health solutions—this category celebrates bold ideas, scientific credibility, and commercial potential.

We’re looking for start-ups that:

• Address unmet consumer health needs
• Demonstrate innovation in product development, technology integration, or scientific validation
• Show early signs of market traction and scalability

Our judges will base their decision on the following criteria:

• Be a start-up, incubator, spin-out or new company that has been trading less than five years
• Able to demonstrate sound science, research, and/or technological developments that back up your business
• Commercial potential or success: Evidence of commercial interest, success, or potential market applications (if not yet launched) 
• Whether the idea, product or initiative has potential to be a ‘game changing’ innovation in the developing personalised nutrition space
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Start-Up Award category are required to be an active company in Europe.