The following criteria are followed when reviewing the ECSS Young Investigator Award abstracts.

• The work is original - ergo not published (see below*) at the time of the submission
• The research has relevance for sport and/or exercise and its effects on performance and/or health and/or aspects of well-being
• The abstract has been carefully prepared and is well structured
• The background and relevance are clearly described
• The work is innovative
• The methodology is sound and the data/arguments/reasoning are solid

Where there are quantitative data in the abstract, the study has enough power, and appropriate statistical tests have been performed to underpin claims on significance.

Where there are qualitative data in the abstract these are reported/interpreted using established paradigms/frameworks and contextualized appropriately.

In the case of a mixed-methods study, a brief description of both types of methodological approaches should be provided, as well as reporting the data to meet the criteria of quantitative and qualitative data listed above.

There is a clear and justified conclusion at the end.

The work is either highly significant for the respective field or has a potential future high impact (e.g. development of new methodologies/interpretations that will generate new knowledge and impact for society).

*This means that the work is not published, or accepted for publication in any peer-reviewed journal nor in any book whether indexed or not in an established disciplinary database