With 17 categories available to showcase the work of businesses and individuals across the functional food and supplements industry, there is ample opportunity to win recognition.
The full list of categories are:
- Ingredient of the Year: Healthspan (NEW for 2026!)
- Ingredient of the Year: Botanical
- Ingredient of the Year: Beauty-from-within
- Ingredient of the Year: Mind and Mood
- Ingredient of the Year: Sports Nutrition
- Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulation
- Product of the Year: Healthspan (NEW for 2026!)
- Product of the Year: Immune Support
- Product of the Year: Sports Nutrition
- Product of the Year: Microbiome Modulation
- Product of the Year: Beauty-from-within
- Innovation in Women’s Health Award
- Nutrition Research Project
- Marketing Initiative of the Year
- Editors’ Award Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- NutraChampion
- Start-up Award (FREE to enter!)
Inviting healthspan innovators
New for 2026, recognizing the huge growth of innovation in this space, we are inviting applications for healthspan focused ingredients and products.
The new healthspan product and ingredient awards will celebrate the most innovative ingredients designed to support healthy 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 recognizes science-backed solutions that help maintain physical and mental vitality.
All about the X-factor
Back for 2026, is our coveted NutraChampion Award, which 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 recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to shape the future of nutrition.
Entries are by nomination only and should clearly demonstrate the individual’s impact, through evidence of a lasting contribution to the nutrition industry, recognition through public visibility or influence beyond the sector, and potential for good by demonstrating the person’s clear commitment to advancing health, sustainability or equity through nutrition.
For 2026, we have made The Start-Up Award FREE to enter in order to allow the industry’s best entrepreneurs to join the competition, whether they are several years in and disrupting the market or just getting started.
The category is open to companies founded within the past 10 years that are driving innovation, disrupting the status quo and delivering measurable impact.
“I’m looking forward to seeing entries for this year’s Start-up Award after making it easier than ever to apply,” said Nikki Hancocks, Editor of NutraIngredients-Europe. “We are always on the lookout for innovators shaking up the market and this is a brilliant platform for new business discovery.”
She added: “I’m also keen to see applications for our Marketing Initiative of the Year. This is an opportunity for anyone working to educate consumers and showcase nutrition products with scientific expertise and creativity.”
Winners will be announced at an awards evening to remember in Barcelona on May 6,
“These awards carry clout in this industry, and that is largely thanks to our superb expert judges who put their valuable expertise and time into this process to ensure our sought-after awards go to the best of the best,” Hancocks added.
To learn more, or to apply, visit the NutraIngredients Awards website here.
The closing date for entries is Jan. 26, and finalists will be announced on March 25.
For assistance or technical support, contact NutraIngredients-Awards@wrbm.com.
