Want $20,000 for Your Research? APEC Calls for Women’s Health Innovations!

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is now accepting entries for the 2025 Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize. This annual competition highlights the link between women’s health and economic participation.

It rewards research that provides data-driven insights into how improving women’s health strengthens economies.

Researchers, policymakers, and advocates can submit their work for consideration. The winner will receive USD 20,000, and the two runners-up will each receive USD 5,000.

The award ceremony will occur during the third APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3), which gathers high-level representatives from the Asia-Pacific region.

It offers a platform to showcase impactful research and promote cross-border collaboration on gender and health policies.

APEC launched this initiative to advance gender equity and economic inclusion. Women face unique health challenges that limit workforce participation.

Studies have shown that gender-sensitive workplace policies can improve retention rates and productivity. Addressing these issues can unlock economic potential and reduce gender-based disparities in employment opportunities.

Eligible applicants must belong to an APEC member economy. They do not need to be from an academic institution. However, their research must be evidence-based and address at least one of five key areas.

The five focus areas include workplace health and safety, health awareness and access, and sexual and reproductive health. Gender-based violence and work-life balance also play a significant role.

These topics directly impact women’s ability to participate in the workforce and affect national economic outcomes.

The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies initiative promotes sex- and gender-disaggregated data. This information helps policymakers craft targeted solutions, while gaps in policies can persist without it.

Data from previous winners have led to policy recommendations on paid parental leave and employer-sponsored healthcare, emphasizing the necessity of data-driven policymaking.

Past winners of this prize have made a significant impact. In 2024, Dr. Wang Ai-Ling from China’s Center for Women and Children’s Health won the award. Her research on early screening and interventions helped prevent thousands of HIV, congenital syphilis, and hepatitis B cases.

From 2011 to 2023, her work saved an estimated 16,000 people from HIV. It also prevented 140,000 cases of congenital syphilis and 3 million cases of hepatitis B virus.

The economic benefits were immense, reducing healthcare costs and improving productivity.

Recent global research underscores the necessity of addressing gender disparities in healthcare access. A 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report indicated that ensuring equitable healthcare access for women can boost GDP growth by up to 3% in some economies.

Such findings reinforce the need for initiatives like the Healthy Women and Healthy Economies Research Prize.

This year, APEC expects a diverse range of submissions. Researchers may focus on workplace policies affecting maternal health. Others may examine access to reproductive healthcare in underserved communities.

Additional research may investigate digital health solutions that enhance access to medical care for women in rural areas.

Some may analyze strategies to combat gender-based violence. Each submission should present innovative solutions that are practical and backed by solid research.

Applicants must submit an official entry form, which is available on the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies website. The deadline for submission is Friday, May 9, 2025.

APEC officials emphasize the need for collaboration to improve the current condition of women’s health. When women have better health, economies grow more substantial.

Corporate partnerships with healthcare providers have proven effective in improving access to care, particularly for female employees in developing economies.

Health inequities create financial disparities. Many women face obstacles that limit career growth and financial security. Addressing these may lead to inclusive economic policies and higher labor force participation rates.

The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize helps drive these discussions. It encourages research that influences policies. By investing in women’s health, economies benefit.

This initiative supports gender-inclusive economic growth and ensures health equity is incorporated into economic policymaking. APEC remains committed to fostering shared prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region.