One of Cosmetic Valley’s major priorities is to identify and support innovative young companies, while promoting research and cosmetic sciences. This led to the creation of The Cosmetic Victories competition in 2015, sponsored by the Cosmetic Valley Endowment Fund.

This internationally recognized innovation competition aims to reward and promote students, researchers, start-ups, and SMEs with innovative projects related to the perfumery and cosmetics industry, while fostering research and innovation that will shape the future of the cosmetics sector.

2026 Theme: “Scientific progress powering sustainability in the cosmetics sector”

For the first time, the competition is themed, highlighting the key role of science in driving the cosmetics sector toward a more sustainable future.

 

Apply Until January 31, 2026

 

For more informations : COSMETIC VICTORIES 

 

 

 

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications must be submitted through the platform following these steps:

 

STEP 1 - ONLINE APPLICATION

To submit your application, complete your project on IDcosm.com:

-If you don’t have an IDcosm account: create an account, add a project, fill in all tabs, then go to the My Projects tab and click “Apply for The Cosmetic Victories.”
-If you already have an IDcosm account: log in, update your project by completing all tabs, then go to the My Projects tab and click “Apply for The Cosmetic Victories.”

Please make sure to answer all questions thoroughly, as the quality of your application will be crucial in selecting candidates for the pitch presentations.
Applications are open until January 31, 2026.

 

STEP 2 - SELECTION

After applications close, an international scientific committee, bound by confidentiality, will carefully review all submissions in February 2026 to select the three finalists in each category.

Before taking the stage, the finalists will receive personalized coaching from ESSEC, helping them refine their pitch and showcase the full potential of their innovation.

Their journey will culminate in Paris, where they will present their projects before a jury of international industry leaders during an exceptional award ceremony celebrating creativity, science, and the future of cosmetics.

 

 

THE COMPETITION

 

 

 

 

WHO CAN TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION?

The Cosmetic Victories competition is open to participants from all over the world:

• The Academic Prize: for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, and scientists.

• The Industry Prize: for entrepreneurs, innovative start-ups, and SMEs developing new business projects.

WHICH TYPES OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION?

• From fundamental research to applied research projects, all research work is eligible (regardless of its Technology Readiness Level – TRL).

• Any innovation related to the competition’s theme can be submitted as a project proposal, across all segments of the cosmetics industry value chain: raw materials, formulation, packaging, testing, finished products, and more.

• Innovations may originate within the perfumery and cosmetics industry or result from technology transfers from other sectors, including new technologies, products, processes, services, concepts, or organizational models.

 

THE PRIZE