The following criteria are applied when reviewing abstracts of the ECSS Young Investigators Award (ECSS YIA):

• The research is original, i.e., not already 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 contextualised appropriately.
• In the case of a mixed-methods studies, 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 research is either highly significant for the respective field or has potential high impact for the future (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.