Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation
Apply for the 5th Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation: Feb. 2–May 15, 2026
The Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI) seeks to recognize and amplify innovative policies, programs, services, and products that address the challenges facing aging societies, help extend healthy and meaningful lives, and improve the provision of care to older adults.
In the next 30 years, the number of people 65 and up in East and Southeast Asia is expected to nearly double. Rapid population aging requires creative approaches from both the public and private sectors to meet the challenges and to create vibrant, healthy, and resilient societies where people can enjoy long, productive lives.
Grand Prize winners will receive a trophy and will be invited to participate in a study tour in Japan. All winners will receive a commemorative certificate and their innovations will be featured prominently on the AHWIN website. We want to share your solution with the world!
PRIZES ARE AWARDED TO INNOVATIVE POLICIES, PROGRAMS, SERVICES, OR PRODUCTS THAT FALL INTO ONE OF THREE CATEGORIES:
CARE & WELLBEING
Innovations that support caregivers, as well as health and welfare service providers, to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of older people.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Innovations that keep older people engaged in their communities and that connect generations.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS
Innovations that make homes, neighborhoods, and transportation more accessible and age-friendly.
(See examples below)
HOW TO APPLY
For those outside of Japan, the HAPI application will consist of three phases.
To apply for the award please complete our short application form (just 2 pages), which can be downloaded using the button below. You will be asked to provide a brief overview of your innovation and your contact information. Applications can be filled out in any of the official languages of the eligible countries (ASEAN+3 countries/territories). Email it back to the secretariat at [email protected]. The short application will be translated into English using AI translation services and will be evaluated by the International Advisory Committee. Please note that all communication with the secretariat should be in English or Japanese.
Based on the Committee’s evaluation, a select number of applicants will be invited to submit a long application. If selected, you will receive the long application form (see sample below). This form asks for more details on your innovation, its impact, your future plans, and so on. Again, applications can be filled out in any of the official languages of eligible countries. These applications will be professionally translated into English and evaluated again by the International Advisory Committee.
Successful finalists will be invited to participate in an online interview. Interpretation will be provided if needed. Based on these interviews, the International Advisory Committee will select the Grand Prize and Second Prize winners.
The initial short application must be submitted between February 2 and May 15, 2026.
If you have already submitted an application and have not received a receipt from the secretariat, please reach out to us at [email protected].
AWARD CATEGORIES & EXAMPLES
CARE & WELLBEING
Innovations that support caregivers, as well as health and welfare service providers, to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of older people.
- innovations that improve the provision of care and medical services to older people, whether in institutional or home settings
- innovations that address the unique challenges of care provision in urban or rural settings
- innovations that build the knowledge and skills of professional and informal caregivers and health professionals, and that provide support for the wellbeing of caregivers
- innovative products that improve the quality of care
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Innovations that keep older people engaged in their communities and that connect generations.
- innovations that engage older people physically and mentally in their communities through opportunities for lifelong learning, volunteer work, reskilling, job creation, or civic engagement
- innovations that promote prevention and healthy longevity through community-based education and exercise programs
- innovations that promote intergenerational connections
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Innovations that make homes, neighborhoods, and transportation more accessible and age-friendly.
- products, services, and programs that enable people to remain safely and affordably in their homes as they age or that offer other living options that promote self-reliance
- innovations and tools that help create accessible physical environments and promote mobility
- innovative approaches that address non-physical barriers, such as ageism, elder abuse, and fraud
Across all three categories, we prioritize:
- technological innovations—both the development of cutting-edge technology (e.g., ICT, robotics, AI) and the creative uses of existing technology—to support the health and wellbeing of older persons and their caregivers
innovations that address equity and inclusion, including initiatives that focus on the rural/urban divide or the needs of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations
innovations that address the particular concerns of older people facing natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises
innovations that help older people continue to lead purposeful lives as they age
innovations that address dementia and its multifaceted impacts
ELIGIBILITY
The following requirements pertain to all applicants:
- Applicants must be an organization; individuals are not eligible. Applicants may not be central government ministries/departments or international organizations.
- Applicants must be based in an ASEAN member country or in China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan), Japan, or South Korea.
- Applicants must be willing to share their experience with others and must be willing to respond to inquiries from those in other countries to the best of their ability.
- Applicants must be in good legal standing and have no record of criminal or ethical violations.
- The applicant’s innovation must have already reached the implementation stage. The award is not intended to evaluate proposals that have not yet been put into practice.
- Applications should be submitted by the organization(s) directly responsible for creating or developing the innovation. Those implementing a program model or marketing a product developed by others are not eligible.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Is the innovation focused on extending healthy and meaningful lives, or on the provision of care to older adults? [Required]
- Does the innovation represent a creative and/or unique approach to an aging-related issue? [Required]
- Has the innovation demonstrated, or can it be expected to achieve, some broad-based impact and/or outcomes?
- Does the innovation provide a cost-efficient and effective response to the issue it seeks to address?
- Does the innovation contribute to human resource development through capacity-building and training components?
- Is the innovation accessible and inclusive?
- Have manuals or other instructional materials been created that would allow the innovation to be implemented or utilized elsewhere?
- Is the innovation scientifically sound and/or evidence based?
ABOUT THE AWARDS
One Grand Prize will be selected in each category and additional finalists will be selected as Second Prize awardees. The selection committee may, at its discretion, award additional prizes for notable achievements.
Grand Prize winners will receive a trophy, all winners will receive a commemorative certificate, and their innovations will be featured prominently on the AHWIN website. (Note: awardees may be asked to provide further information, photographs, etc., for the website coverage.)
The Grand Prize winner in each category will be invited to attend an award ceremony and participate in a study tour and other events.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for one representative of the awardee organization.
This prize is an initiative of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), under the auspices of the Japanese government’s Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative (AHWIN).
HAPI Supporters:
