Call for Applications: Hiyoshi Awards (India)

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The Hiyoshi Awards recognize Indian researchers and scientists for outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and protection. The awards are offered in three categories: Hiyoshi Environmental Award, Think of Ecology Award, and Young Leaf Award. Winners receive a memento, citation, and cash prize of INR 25,000 or INR 15,000, depending on the award category.

Overview

The Hiyoshi Awards support Indian researchers and scientists working in environmental conservation and protection.

The awards recognize outstanding and innovative research contributions that advance scientific knowledge, applied solutions, and technology-based approaches for protecting the environment.

The programme offers three annual awards, each focused on a different area of environmental research and scientific contribution.

Key Focus Areas

The Hiyoshi Awards focus on environmental research, innovation, and conservation impact.

Key focus areas include:

• Environmental conservation
• Environmental protection
• Fundamental research
• Applied research
• Young researcher innovation
• Scientific research
• Research design
• Methodology development
• Application of science and technology
• Environmental problem-solving
• Innovative environmental contributions
• Protection of natural resources
• Ecology-focused research

Award Categories

The Hiyoshi Awards include three categories.

Each category recognizes a different type of contribution to environmental conservation and protection.

1. Hiyoshi Environmental Award

The Hiyoshi Environmental Award recognizes fundamental research in environmental conservation and protection.

This category is suitable for experienced researchers whose work has contributed to the scientific understanding of environmental issues.

2. Think of Ecology Award

The Think of Ecology Award recognizes applied research in environmental conservation and protection.

This category supports researchers whose work applies scientific knowledge, design, methodology, or technology to address environmental challenges.

3. Young Leaf Award

The Young Leaf Award recognizes innovative contributions by young researchers in environmental conservation and protection.

This category is designed to encourage early-career researchers and scientists who are making meaningful contributions to environmental science and protection.

Award Benefits

The awards provide recognition and cash prizes.

Award benefits include:

• Memento
• Citation
• Cash prize

Cash prize amounts are:

• INR 25,000 for the Hiyoshi Environmental Award
• INR 25,000 for the Think of Ecology Award
• INR 15,000 for the Young Leaf Award

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on the award category.

Applicants must be Indian citizens and must meet the specific eligibility requirements for the category they are applying under.

Applicants are allowed to apply for only one award category.

Applicants must not have previously received the same award category.

Eligibility for Hiyoshi Environmental Award

Applicants for the Hiyoshi Environmental Award must:

• Be Indian citizens
• Have at least ten years of research experience
• Exclude PhD research from the ten-year experience calculation
• Be working in an eligible research institution in India
• Have made outstanding contributions to fundamental research in environmental conservation and protection

Eligibility for Think of Ecology Award

Applicants for the Think of Ecology Award must:

• Be Indian citizens
• Have at least ten years of research experience
• Exclude PhD research from the ten-year experience calculation
• Be working in an eligible research institution in India
• Have made outstanding contributions to applied research in environmental conservation and protection

Eligibility for Young Leaf Award

Applicants for the Young Leaf Award must:

• Be Indian citizens
• Be aged 35 years or below
• Have at least ten years of research experience
• Include PhD research in the ten-year experience calculation
• Have made innovative contributions to environmental conservation and protection

Required Submission Materials

Applicants must prepare and submit the required documents in the prescribed format.

Required materials include:

• CV in PDF format
• Up to five research publications for consideration
• Three selected publications for final submission
• Passport-size photograph in JPEG format
• Up to three documents showing outstanding environmental contributions in PDF format

Applicants should ensure that all documents are complete, properly named, and submitted in the correct format.

Application Rules

Applicants must follow the application rules carefully.

Important rules include:

• Only one application per candidate is permitted.
• Applicants may apply for only one award category.
• Applicants must not have previously received the same award category.
• Applications must be submitted online in the prescribed format.
• Documents must be properly formatted.
• Files must be zipped under the applicant’s full name.
• Submissions must follow the specified size limits.
• Applications must be submitted before the deadline.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a duly formed selection committee.

The selection committee reviews applications based on the submitted materials and supporting documents.

The evaluation may consider:

• Research quality
• Innovation
• Environmental relevance
• Publications
• Scientific contribution
• Applied value
• Methodological strength
• Demonstrated impact in environmental conservation and protection

Why It Matters

The Hiyoshi Awards matter because environmental conservation requires strong scientific research, practical innovation, and long-term commitment.

India faces environmental challenges related to pollution, biodiversity loss, natural resource pressure, climate impacts, ecosystem degradation, and sustainable development.

By recognizing researchers and scientists working in this field, the awards encourage continued scientific excellence and support the development of solutions that protect the environment.

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should prepare a clear and complete application that demonstrates research excellence, environmental relevance, and documented contributions.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Award Category

Applicants should first select the award category that best matches their work.

They should apply for:

• Hiyoshi Environmental Award for fundamental research
• Think of Ecology Award for applied research
• Young Leaf Award for young researcher innovation

Applicants should remember that only one category can be selected.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should check the eligibility requirements before applying.

They should confirm:

• Indian citizenship
• Required research experience
• Age limit for the Young Leaf Award
• Institutional eligibility where applicable
• No previous receipt of the same award category

Step 3: Prepare the CV

Applicants must submit a CV in PDF format.

The CV should clearly highlight:

• Academic background
• Research experience
• Current institutional affiliation
• Major environmental research achievements
• Publications
• Awards or recognitions
• Relevant projects and contributions

Step 4: Select Research Publications

Applicants may provide up to five research publications for consideration.

From these, only three selected publications should be submitted as part of the application.

The selected publications should strongly demonstrate the applicant’s contribution to environmental conservation and protection.

Step 5: Prepare Contribution Documents

Applicants may submit up to three documents showing outstanding environmental contributions.

These documents should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s research impact, applied contribution, innovation, or scientific value.

Step 6: Format and Zip the Files

All documents must be properly formatted.

Applicants should ensure:

• CV is in PDF format
• Photograph is in JPEG format
• Contribution documents are in PDF format
• The final file is zipped under the applicant’s full name
• File size limits are followed

Step 7: Submit Online Before the Deadline

Applications must be submitted online in the prescribed format.

Applicants should submit well before the deadline to avoid technical or formatting issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Applying for more than one award category
• Submitting more than one application
• Applying for a category already received in the past
• Miscalculating research experience
• Including PhD research where it is excluded for certain categories
• Missing the age limit for the Young Leaf Award
• Submitting documents in the wrong format
• Uploading more publications than allowed
• Not selecting the strongest three publications
• Forgetting to include a passport-size photograph
• Not zipping files under the applicant’s full name
• Missing file size or deadline requirements

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should be well organized, evidence-based, and aligned with the selected award category.

Useful tips include:

• Choose the category that best fits the applicant’s contribution.
• Highlight the most important environmental research achievements.
• Select publications that clearly show originality and impact.
• Use contribution documents to demonstrate practical or scientific value.
• Keep the CV focused on environmental conservation and protection.
• Ensure all documents are correctly formatted.
• Follow all file naming and zip file instructions.
• Submit only one complete application.
• Review eligibility before submission.
• Submit before the deadline to avoid last-minute errors.

FAQ

1. What are the Hiyoshi Awards?

The Hiyoshi Awards recognize Indian researchers and scientists for outstanding and innovative contributions to environmental conservation and protection.

2. What are the award categories?

The three award categories are the Hiyoshi Environmental Award, Think of Ecology Award, and Young Leaf Award.

3. How much is the cash prize?

The Hiyoshi Environmental Award and Think of Ecology Award each provide INR 25,000. The Young Leaf Award provides INR 15,000.

4. Who can apply for the Hiyoshi Environmental Award and Think of Ecology Award?

Indian citizens with at least ten years of research experience, excluding PhD research, and working in eligible research institutions in India may apply.

5. Who can apply for the Young Leaf Award?

Indian citizens aged 35 years or below with at least ten years of research experience, including PhD research, may apply.

6. Can an applicant apply for more than one category?

No. Applicants may apply for only one award category.

7. What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a CV in PDF format, selected research publications, a passport-size photograph in JPEG format, and up to three documents demonstrating outstanding environmental contributions in PDF format.

Conclusion

The Hiyoshi Awards provide important recognition for Indian researchers and scientists contributing to environmental conservation and protection.

Through the Hiyoshi Environmental Award, Think of Ecology Award, and Young Leaf Award, the programme supports fundamental research, applied research, and young researcher innovation. Strong applications should clearly demonstrate eligibility, research excellence, environmental relevance, strong publications, documented contributions, and careful compliance with submission requirements.

For more information, visit Hiyoshi India.