12th Women Awards – VIWA 2027

The Twelfth WOMEN AWARDS – VIWA 2027

The VIWA 2027 invites nominations vide F. No. VIF/CFN/WA/2027, opened on 9 March 2026, from eligible individuals who are in continuous regular service with recognised research or academic institutions. Nominations are invited from accomplished researchers and professionals between 27 and 70 years of age who are making significant contributions at the frontiers of knowledge, research, innovation, and professional excellence in the following disciplines:

Agricultural Sciences
Engineering
Health and Medical Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Law
Management
Science
Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Click here to download:

✔ Nomination Form

✔ Policy Document

✔ Notification

Categories and Criteria

CRITERIA FOR THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Since its inception in 2016, the Lifetime Achievement Award has been conferred annually in recognition of an exceptional woman researcher whose distinguished career has made a profound and enduring contribution to the advancement of knowledge, research, and innovation.

The award recognizes a sustained record of excellence demonstrated through one or more of the following:

a) Fundamental Discoveries
Pioneering discoveries that have significantly advanced the frontiers of knowledge within the researcher’s field.

b) Original Theories and Intellectual Contributions
The development of new theories, conceptual frameworks, methodologies, or scholarly approaches that have enriched and transformed the discipline.

c) Impact and Influence
Research insights and contributions that have exerted a significant and lasting influence not only within the nominee’s own discipline but also across related fields and the wider academic, scientific, professional, or societal landscape.

d) Cutting-Edge Achievements
Exceptional accomplishments at the forefront of research, innovation, technology, or knowledge creation, demonstrating originality, intellectual distinction, and global relevance.

e) Sustained Excellence and Extraordinary Productivity
A distinguished record of continued scholarly excellence, research productivity, leadership, and meaningful contributions throughout the course of an accomplished career.

Eligibility

The nominee must:

Be above 55 years of age as of 5 January 2026; and
Have completed at least 25 years of professional/research service as of 5 January 2026.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to honour a woman whose intellectual leadership, sustained excellence, pioneering contributions, and enduring impact have established a distinguished legacy within her field and beyond.

CRITERIA FOR DISTINGUISHED WOMAN RESEARCHER

Criteria for the Distinguished Woman Researcher Award Since 2020, this prestigious distinction has been conferred annually upon an exceptional woman researcher whose scholarly achievements have demonstrated intellectual excellence, originality, enduring influence, and significant advancement of knowledge.

The award recognises a distinguished research career marked by:

Fundamental Discoveries — Pioneering research that has expanded the frontiers of knowledge and contributed substantially to the advancement of the field.

New Theories and Concepts — The development of original theories, concepts, methodologies, or transformative perspectives that have enriched and reshaped scholarly understanding.

Disciplinary and Wider Impact — Research insights and contributions that have exerted a demonstrable and lasting influence within the nominee’s discipline and, where applicable, across related fields of knowledge.

Eligibility

The nominee must: Be above 44 years of age; and Have completed at least 20 years of professional/research service as of 5 January 2026.

The award is intended to honour a woman researcher whose body of work reflects exceptional scholarly distinction, sustained intellectual leadership, originality, and a lasting contribution to science, research, and society.

CRITERIA FOR THE OUTSTANDING WOMAN RESEARCHER AWARD

Since its inception in 2020, the Outstanding Woman Researcher Award has been conferred annually upon an exceptional woman researcher whose work reflects intellectual distinction, originality, scientific excellence, and enduring impact.

The award recognizes a remarkable researcher whose contributions have advanced the frontiers of knowledge through:

a) Fundamental Discoveries that have significantly expanded the understanding of her field.

b) New Theories, Concepts, or Transformative Insights that have introduced original perspectives and influenced the advancement of knowledge.

c) Exceptional Research Excellence demonstrated through sustained scholarly achievement, originality, and intellectual leadership.

d) Significant Impact and Recognition within her discipline and, where applicable, across interdisciplinary or international research communities.

Eligibility

The nominee must:

Be above 34 years of age as on 5 January 2025;

and Have completed at least 10 years of research/service experience as on 5 January 2025.

The award is intended to honour women researchers whose originality, sustained excellence, and meaningful contribution to knowledge represent the highest standards of contemporary research.

CRITERIA FOR YOUNG WOMAN RESEARCHER

Since 2020, this distinguished award has been conferred annually upon an exceptional woman researcher whose work demonstrates originality, intellectual excellence, and meaningful advancement of knowledge within her discipline.

The award recognizes a young woman researcher whose scholarly contributions have demonstrated one or more of the following:

Original Research:
Significant and innovative contributions that advance the frontiers of knowledge.

New Theories:
Development of original theories, concepts, or frameworks that offer fresh perspectives within the discipline.

Transformative Insights:
Research insights that deepen understanding, challenge established thinking, or open new avenues of inquiry.

Scholarly Impact:
Contributions that have made a notable impact within the researcher’s discipline and demonstrate potential for wider international significance.

Eligibility
The nominee must:

Be above 27 years of age as of 5 January 2025; and
Have completed a minimum of five years of research, academic, or professional service as of 5 January 2026.

The award seeks to honour women researchers who represent intellectual distinction, originality, sustained scholarly promise, and the emerging leadership of women in global research and innovation.