Research project of the year: What the judges want to see

Submitting your research project for Femtech World Awards recognition can feel daunting.

What makes one project stand out from another?

After reviewing successful submissions from previous years, we’ve identified the key elements that transform good research into award-winning work.

Innovation That Solves Real Problems

Judges aren’t just looking for novelty – they’re looking for innovation that addresses genuine gaps in women’s health.

The best submissions clearly articulate a specific problem and demonstrate how their research offers a fresh approach to solving it.

Ask yourself: Does your research tackle an underserved area? Are you approaching a known problem from a new angle?

The most compelling projects often focus on issues that have been overlooked, understudied or inadequately addressed by existing solutions.

Whether you’re investigating menopause in the workplace, developing better diagnostic tools for endometriosis, or exploring mental health interventions for new mothers, clarity about the problem you’re solving is essential.

Rigorous Methodology

Strong research stands on solid foundations. Judges carefully evaluate your methodology to ensure your findings are credible and reproducible.

This doesn’t mean your research needs to be complete – early-stage projects are welcome – but you should demonstrate thoughtful research design.

Include details about your sample size, data collection methods, controls, and analytical approaches.

If you’re conducting qualitative research, explain how you’re ensuring validity. If you’re building a technological solution, describe your testing protocols.

Transparency about limitations shows intellectual honesty and strengthens rather than weakens your submission.

Measurable Impact Potential

The research projects that win hearts and awards are those with clear pathways to real-world impact.

Judges want to see beyond the research itself to understand how your work will improve women’s lives.

Consider questions like: Who will benefit from this research? How many people could be affected? What would successful implementation look like?

Whether your impact is clinical, social, economic, or policy-related, be specific.

Instead of saying “this will help women,” try “this diagnostic tool could reduce endometriosis diagnosis time from 7-10 years to under 2 years for an estimated 200 million women worldwide.”

Inclusivity and Diversity Considerations

Award-winning FemTech research recognises that women are not a monolith.

Judges increasingly value projects that consider diversity across age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and geographic location.

Have you thought about how your research applies across different populations? Are you inadvertently excluding certain groups?

The strongest submissions acknowledge these considerations and, where possible, design research to be inclusive or clearly define the specific population being served.

Clear Communication

Even groundbreaking research won’t win if judges can’t understand it. The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly is crucial.

Avoid unnecessary jargon, define technical terms, and structure your submission logically.

Think of your submission as telling a story: Here’s the problem, here’s why it matters, here’s what we did, here’s what we found, and here’s why it matters for the future.

Feasibility and Sustainability

Judges appreciate ambitious research, but they also value realistic plans.

Show that you’ve thought about practical considerations: Do you have the resources to complete this work? Is your timeline reasonable?

For projects seeking commercialisation, is there a viable path to market?

Demonstrating that you’ve considered challenges and have strategies to overcome them shows maturity and increases confidence in your project’s success.

Your Passion Matters

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of genuine passion.

The researchers who win aren’t just technically proficient – they deeply care about their work and its potential to create change.

Let that commitment shine through in your submission.

Ready to submit? Find out more about the awards and enter for free here.