Top Tips for Success in the 2026 CiteAb Awards!
5
Min Read
In this blog:
- Learn more about the CiteAb Awards
- How can you get involved this year?
- Discover top tips for a successful nomination!
Join us in celebrating the very best in the reagent sector
At CiteAb, we see first-hand the extraordinary innovation, effort, and scientific expertise that reagent suppliers contribute to life science research. Yet much of this work happens behind the scenes.
The CiteAb Awards were created to recognize those efforts. In their time, they have recognised over 50 different companies in the research reagent sector.
Now entering another exciting year, the 2026 Awards include a combination of data-driven categories and open nomination categories to reflect emerging research fields, technologies, and supplier contributions.
Celebrating the most striking research image in 2025.
We want to see inspiring visuals: microscopy, flow plots, histology – anything that captures the beauty of science.
We are looking for company nominations, for images produced by their instruments. This image does not have to be published, but must have been produced in 2025. In your nominations you must specify the instrument used and what the image shows.
This award is judged on aesthetic impact and will be opened up to a community vote by researchers. We are looking for unique and striking images, capturing fascinating research.
Celebrating a research product or instrument that has solved a key challenge.
In this category, a panel of impressive independent judges will be assessing entries for:
- Novelty and originality of the solution
- Whether the product addresses a clearly defined market need or gap
- Evidence of industry impact (data encouraged!)
- Broader value added to researchers’ workflows
Strong entries provide concise explanations supported by usage metrics, testimonials, or performance data. The product or instrument nominated must have been significantly improved or launched in 2025.
Read more on past winners to see what it takes to be named a winner in this category here:
- 2025 Innovation Award winner – won by Tocris Bioscience, a Bio-Techne brand, with their ProtiFect STAR™ Protein Transfection Reagent
- 2024 Innovation Award winner – won by Bio-Techne with their RNAscope HiPlex12 Flex Kit
Recognising individuals making an exceptional contribution to the life sciences.
Entries in this category may highlight:
- A career-long contribution
- A single transformative project
- Product development achievements
- Leadership within an organisation
- Contributions to a community-driven scientific initiative
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of fantastic independent judges. We recommend including specific outcomes, quotes, data, or anecdotes to illustrate why this individual stands out. We will only take forward nominations for individuals in industry, or those who have spent significant time in industry.
Celebrating the supplier researchers have been most impressed by in 2025.
Nominated for exclusively by researchers, this award recognises:
- Outstanding customer support
- High-quality, reliable, or great-value products
- Scientific or troubleshooting assistance that made a difference
Researchers submitting a nomination will be entered into a prize draw to win a $100 Amazon voucher. Although companies cannot direct nominate themselves, you are able to encourage your customers to nominate!
We will not accept self-nominations from companies in this category.
2026 Data-Driven Categories
Our data-driven awards are determined solely through in-depth analysis of our citation-based reagent database, which includes data on over 16 million research reagents and 40 million citations.
The 2026 list highlights both established leaders and suppliers showing rising momentum. You can explore the full list on the CiteAb Awards website.
ELISA Kit Supplier to Watch
Recognising the supplier with the greatest year-on-year citation growth.
Protein Supplier to Watch in Cancer Research
Celebrating the supplier with the largest percentage increase for protein citations in cancer research.
Phospho Antibody Supplier of the Year
Highlighting the supplier with the most citations for antibodies against phosphorylated targets.
Plasmid Supplier of the Year
Recognising the supplier with the highest citation volume for plasmids.
Flow Cytometer Supplier to Watch
Celebrating the instrument supplier showing the largest % increase in citations for flow cytometers.
Mass Spectrometer Supplier of the Year
Celebrating the instrument supplier with the most citations for mass spectrometers.
Growth Factor Supplier of the Year
Recognising the supplier with the most citations for growth factors across all research areas.
Leading IHC Supplier in Neuroscience
Celebrating the supplier with the highest volume of IHC citations specifically in neuroscience research.
Tips for Writing a Strong Nomination
Across all nomination categories, the most successful entries typically include:
- Clear, concise descriptions of the product, initiative, or individual
- Supporting evidence, such as usage numbers, adoption rates, customer quotes, or publication impact
- Specific examples rather than general statements
- Context on the problem solved or the need addressed
Why Enter the CiteAb Awards?
Winning a CiteAb Award is a powerful way to build trust and visibility with the scientific community.
Award winners receive:
- A trophy and certificate
- A full marketing materials package (including digital certificates and web banners)
- Social media and website promotion on CiteAb
- Recognition on the CiteAb Awards website alongside an impressive alumni of winners
- Award presentation at AACR by our CEO, Dr Andrew Chalmers
You can explore past winners at: citeab.com/awards
Submit Your Nomination Today
Ready to showcase your contributions to life science research? Head to the CiteAb Awards website now to submit your nomination.
Don’t forget to subscribe to email updates at the bottom of the page to hear award announcements as they happen.
Good luck to all nominees – and if you have any questions, our team is always here to help at awards@citeab.com.
