Following six successful editions of the Gender Equality Awards, in 2020 the FISU Gender Equality Committee proposed to expand the awards, to not only recognise organisations but also individuals.

The new category aims to acknowledge "those who have developed outstanding projects or made significant efforts to advance and achieve gender equality in university sports," according to FISU secretary general and chief executive Eric Saintrond.

The renamed FISU Gender Equality Awards now consist of two awards – the FISU Gender Equality Project Award, and the FISU Gender Equality Champion Award.

The Project Award will be bestowed on a project that has already been delivered in its entirety at least once in 2020 or 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, projects which were delivered in 2019 and intended to be delivered in 2020 or 2021 are also eligible to be nominated for the honour.

The winning organisation will receive a grant of up to €5,000 (£4,300/$6,100) from FISU to support the continuation and development of the project.

The Champion Award will go to an individual who has contributed significantly to gender equality in university sports in their country, continent or internationally.

The winning individual will be awarded the title of FISU Gender Equality Champion and will have the opportunity to be a presenter and speaker at future FISU events.

Winners of both awards will be announced at the FISU General Assembly 2021, scheduled to be held in Chengdu in China.

The FISU Gender Equality Awards aim to promote the advancement of gender equality in sport and recognise outstanding efforts and achievements to increase the participation of women, but also non-binary and transgender individuals, in sports at all levels, both on and off the field of play.

FISU insists it aims to continuously support gender-equality initiatives across the world and assists its members in developing these special projects.

The nomination process is now open to FISU’s member National University Sports Federations (NUSFs) and Continental University Sports Federations (CUSFs).

Nominations must be submitted to the FISU Gender Equality Committee via emailing [email protected], using an official nomination form, no later than July 15.

NUSFs and CUSFs are entitled to nominate an unlimited number of candidates for the FISU Gender Equality Project Award and one candidate only per NUSF or CUSF for the FISU Gender Equality Champion Award.

Higher education institutions and universities are also strongly encouraged to submit nominations to their NUSF, which can then submit them to FISU on its behalf.

A jury composed of FISU Gender Equality Committee and Gender Equality Working Group members will review the nominations and propose a shortlist.