Deadline: 19-Mar-2026
The APEC Healthy Women Research Prize 2026 invites individuals or teams from APEC member economies to submit innovative, evidence-based research on women’s health and its impact on economic participation. Research should address at least one pillar of the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit. The prize awards USD 20,000 to the winner and USD 5,000 each to two runners-up, with applications closing on 19 March 2026.
Overview of the Prize
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Healthy Women Research Prize recognizes research that strengthens understanding of how women’s health underpins economic participation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The initiative seeks to:
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Promote evidence-based policy and business insights
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Highlight health-related barriers to women’s economic participation
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Encourage innovative research in workplace, family, and societal contexts
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Foster collaboration across sectors and member economies
Research outputs should provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, employers, and stakeholders.
Eligible Research Areas
Applicants must focus on at least one pillar of the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit:
1. Workplace Health and Safety
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Occupational health initiatives
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Prevention of work-related illnesses
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Safe work environments for women
2. Health Awareness and Access
3. Sexual and Reproductive Health
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Family planning and maternal health
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Fertility, prenatal, and postnatal care
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Policy or program interventions
4. Gender-Based Violence
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Workplace and community interventions
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Prevention and support mechanisms
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Policy frameworks for protection
5. Work–Life Balance
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Policies supporting caregiving responsibilities
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Flexible work arrangements
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Long-term care solutions
Research may address cross-cutting themes such as non-communicable diseases, caregiving responsibilities, family- and workplace-policy reforms, and long-term care. Emphasis should be placed on the connection between health and women’s economic outcomes.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
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Individuals or teams from APEC member economies
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Professionals, researchers, practitioners, or policy experts
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Applicants do not need to be affiliated with academic institutions
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Research must be evidence-based and align with the toolkit pillars
Teams may include members from different sectors, including policy, health, business, or civil society, provided the research maintains academic rigor and practical relevance.
Award and Recognition
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Grand Prize: USD 20,000 and recognition at the Women and the Economy Forum
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Two Runners-Up: USD 5,000 each
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Winners will be celebrated at a ceremony held alongside the Women and the Economy Forum
The award highlights research with high policy impact and practical relevance for improving women’s economic participation through better health outcomes.
How to Apply
Step 1: Develop Your Research Proposal
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Identify a relevant research question aligned with one or more toolkit pillars
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Ensure methodology is rigorous and evidence-based
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Define clear policy or business relevance
Step 2: Prepare Supporting Materials
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Research summary or full paper
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Methodology and data sources
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Practical recommendations for policymakers or businesses
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Team profiles (if applicable)
Step 3: Submit Your Application
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Submit via the official APEC application portal or email as specified in the call
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Ensure the research clearly addresses the toolkit pillars and provides actionable insights
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Adhere to all formatting and submission guidelines
Step 4: Review and Evaluation
Submissions are evaluated based on:
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Relevance to women’s health and economic participation
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Evidence-based methodology
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Practical policy and business implications
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Innovation and originality
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Regional applicability across APEC economies
Step 5: Award Announcement
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Winners and runners-up will be announced at the Women and the Economy Forum
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Prize amounts awarded accordingly
Key Dates
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Application Deadline: Thursday, 19 March 2026
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Prize Announcement: During the Women and the Economy Forum (exact date to be announced)
Why This Prize Matters
Women’s health significantly influences economic participation, productivity, and societal development. By promoting research in this field, the prize:
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Strengthens the evidence base for gender-sensitive policies
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Encourages innovative interventions in health and workplace environments
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Supports inclusive economic growth across APEC member economies
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Promotes data-driven decision-making in policy and business contexts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible to apply?
Individuals or teams from APEC member economies. Applicants do not need academic affiliations.
2. What types of research are eligible?
Evidence-based research addressing at least one pillar of the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit.
3. How much funding is awarded?
USD 20,000 for the grand prize winner and USD 5,000 each for two runners-up.
4. Can teams apply?
Yes, multidisciplinary and cross-sector teams are encouraged.
5. What is the submission deadline?
Thursday, 19 March 2026.
6. Where will winners be recognized?
At the Women and the Economy Forum, hosted by APEC.
7. What makes a strong proposal?
Strong proposals are evidence-based, address relevant toolkit pillars, demonstrate practical policy or business impact, and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
Conclusion
The APEC Healthy Women Research Prize 2026 provides a unique opportunity to produce high-impact research that links women’s health with economic participation. Researchers and practitioners from APEC economies should submit evidence-based proposals addressing the toolkit pillars to compete for awards and recognition at the Women and the Economy Forum.
This prize encourages innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and practical solutions to advance gender equity and economic inclusion across the Asia-Pacific region.
For more information, visit Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
