Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation

Now accepting applications for the 2024 Prize! 

Deadline: MAY 31, 2024

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 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: 

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

New technologies and techniques that encourage healthy and productive aging, that improve the way that older persons receive care, or that provide greater efficiency, safety, and/or convenience for older persons and caregivers

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES

Community-based approaches—including inter-generational approaches—to keeping older adults healthy, active, engaged, and/or safe

SUPPORTING SELF-RELIANCE

New ways to help older adults maintain, improve, or restore their ability to carry out activities of daily living and to age in place

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).

For those outside of Japan, the 2024 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 no later than May 31, 2024.

If you have already submitted an application and have not received a receipt from the secretariat, please reach out to us at [email protected].

For those outside of Japan, the 2024 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 28 and May 31, 2024.

If you have already submitted an application and have not received a receipt from the secretariat, please reach out to us at [email protected].

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.
  • 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?

Below is a list of themes and questions that the award is seeking to address, which may be helpful in preparing your application. Please note that if you innovation is addressing an issue that is not included below, we still encourage you to apply as long as your work meets the eligibility requirements above.

  • How can we build resilience and protect older people during natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises?
  • How can we ensure an adequate supply of well-trained and fairly compensated caregivers?
  • What can be done to prevent dementia and support and protect those it affects?
  • How can communities best engage and support their elder members, particularly those who are socially vulnerable?
  • How can we provide the best living options for older adults and promote greater self-reliance?
  • How can new technologies and innovations—for example, caregiving robots, ICT devices, or AI—support the health and wellbeing of older persons and their caregivers?
  • How can governments maintain or improve care for older persons in ways that are both effective and efficient?
  • How can we overcome negative stereotypes of older persons among the general public and among older persons themselves?

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 and 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.

Get information and download forms in other languages here:

Recognizing the importance of promoting healthy longevity, the United Nations declared 2021-2030 to be the UN Decade of Healthy Aging. By sharing lessons from East and Southeast Asia, HAPI aims to contribute to this international movement, and to meeting the objectives of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing—advancing health and well-being into old age and ensuring enabling and supportive environments—and of the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 3, of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.