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 USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

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 USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

With the global population getting older and an increasing number of over 50’s in every country, the demand for anti-aging nutritional solutions has risen sharply in recent years. Our Ingredient of the Year category for healthspan looks to celebrate the best the industry has to offer in tailored solutions to remain physically and mentally healthy as we age. From the latest ingredients supporting cellular aging and extending healthy lifespan to solutions aimed at reducing the risk of frailty, this award is open to ingredients specifically designed to meet the challenges of aging.

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 USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

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 NutraIngredients USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

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 USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

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 USA Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in the United States.

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 wihtin. 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 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 USA Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in the United States.

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, 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 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 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 USA Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in the United States.

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 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 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 USA Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in the United States.

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 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 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 USA Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in the United States.

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 weight management category has been turned on its head with the approval of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. Where the weight management dietary supplement category was once dominated by thermogenics and metabolism boosters or satiety products, the modern space needs to offer ways to support current and former GLP-1 users. There's also an opportunity for natural alternatives and those with proven metabolic or blood sugar control positioning. This award celebrates the most innovative branded or own-label supplements, functional foods, and beverages designed to support healthy weigth management.

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 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 USA Awards, Product of the Year categories are required to have the finished product commercially available in the United States.

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 Editors' Award is decided on by our award-winning editors of NutraIngredients' North American edition. This award celebrates the best industry initiative and is open to any program, project or platform that is able to demonstrate deep and significant improvements for the wider industry. If your organization has launched a significant initiative to improve quality, transparency, consumer confidence and trust in the dietary supplements’ industry, then we want to hear from you. Company-centic initiatives do not qualify.

Our judges will base their decision on evidence for:

• A novel or innovative program, project or platform that increases consumer trust and transparency
• Demonstrable success, including evidence of retailer and consumer interest and any other accolades won
• What gives your initiative the ‘X factor’ – how does it move the industry forward

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for the NutraIngredients USA Editor's Award for Industry Initiative of the Year Award are required to have a direct impact on the United States industry.

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. 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 honors 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 
• Consumer demand and interest in your format, delivery system, and/or matrix – including how innovative any delivery system is.
• Whether your product meets a consumer demand, and how relevant the main ingredient is in meeting this demand
• Packaging ease of use and design, including appeal and ease of use, novelty
• Evidence that the product works for its specified use, where possible this will be product specific research, however research citing the main active ingredients solely will also be considered.
• 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
• 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 USA Awards, Innovations in Women's Health Award, if ingredient or product-based, are required to have the ingredients or products commercially available in the North America.

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

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.

Not all heroes wear capes. This award is dedicated to the celebration of our industry's biggest champions and heroes and will be judged by the editors of NutraIngredients' North American edition. Whether it is for driving new standards and policies, increasing public knowledge and interest in nutrition, or pushing for innovation and championing ingredients, our NutraChampion award will celebrate those who leave a lasting impact on nutrition and the nutrition industry. Entries are by nomination only and should outline why each potential NutraChampion deserves this honor.

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

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients USA Awards, NutraChampion are required to have an impact in the United States.

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

Entries for The NutraIngredients USA Awards, Nutrition Research Project must demonstrate a direct impact in the United States

Today’s start-ups and spin-outs are the future major players of the industry. In this award, we look to celebrate the best new companies blazing the trail in the nutrition and health market. From university spin-outs and one-man outfits making a big impact to incubators and fast-growing new companies about to make it big, this award rewards new ideas, the potential for change, and commercial success in companies established in United States of Canada in the past 10 years.

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 personalized 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)

Entry Requirements for Start-Up Award:

• Be a start-up that is founded in the United States & Canada
• Have fewer than 20 employees
• Have been founded in past 10 years
• Be ‘independently owned’. This is defined as a business that is substantially owned by its founders and/or a group of independent investors; is not quoted on AIM or any other stock market; and is not a subsidiary or associated company of another business.
• Be at Series B funding stage or earlier

To view the requirements for this category, click to download