Nirmal Oswal Research Award
Submissions will open on 2 November 2026 and close on Friday, 29 January 2027 (midnight, UK time)
Focus and Scope
Nirmal Oswal Research Award was launched as part of the BMLA Annual Conference in May 2026 to recognise and support innovation research, emerging ideas, and developments in the application of laser & light-based technology in medicine, dentistry and aesthetics.
Returning at the BMLA 2027 Annual Conference, and the award invites applicants to present and pitch innovative research proposals, projects, or service developments through a Shark Tank-Style Competition. The initiative aims to encourage scientific innovative, foster research excellence, and promote the development and application of laser technologies and light-based treatments.
Proposals may involve:
- The development and evaluation of a new laser techniques or light-based technologies;
- Novel applications of existing technologies in clinical or research settings;
- Innovative approaches to integrating laser and light-based treatments into healthcare settings;
- Research addressing current scientific, clinical or healthcare challenges;
- Service developments with the potential to improve patient care, treatment outcomes, or service delivery.
Participants will compete for the Nirmal Oswal Research Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the field.
The winning pitch will receive:
- £500 cash prize
- the opportunity to showcase the project on on the main stage of the conference
Projects should clearly outline their potential impact, whether by improving existing methods, contributing to translational research, or enhancing service delivery. All the project proposals must involve laser or light-based technology and be applicable to one of the following fields: Medical, Dental, Veterinary, or Aesthetic.
Eligible Participants
- Researchers
- Postgraduate students
- Trainees at any career level
- Clinicians or healthcare professionals in academic or clinical practice settings
- Multidisciplinary teams
- Laser officers
- Laser therapists
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a single PDF document including the following:
- Project Title: Maximum 15 words. It should be concise and clearly reflect the proposed innovation.
- Applicant Name(s), Affiliation(s), and Contact Details (underline the presenter’s name)
- Field: Medical / Dental / Veterinary / Aesthetic
- Abstract (max. 250 words) containing:
- Background & Rationale: Identify the problem or gap being addressed and explain why laser or light-based technology is chosen;
- Innovation & Originality: Describe what makes the project novel or promising;
- Expected Outcomes & Impact: Outline the potential benefits to patients, practitioners, or the field;
- Budget Justification: Explain how the £500 cash prize will be used to support the proposed innovation;
Pitch Format
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present:
- A 10-minute pitch presentation (maximum 6 slides, PowerPoint format)
- Followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the expert panel
Presentations must clearly communicate:
- The significance of the topic
- The role of laser or light-based technology in the research or application
- The practical use of the award
Evaluation Process
The evaluation will take place in two stages:
Stage 1
Pre-Conference Review
A blind review panel will assess all submissions based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and relevance. Shortlisted applicants will advance to the live pitch session.
Stage 2
Live Pitch at the Conference
An expert judging panel will evaluate the quality of the pitch, clarity of communication, and responses during the Q&A.
Scores from both stages will be combined to determine the final winner, who will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Thursday 20 May 2027. The winner will be required to provide Prof. Reem Hanna at the BMLA with biannual progress reports outlining the development and progress of the project.
Essential Information
Email address: Please ensure that the email provided when submitting your Shark Tank Pitch will still be valid in February/March 2027 when the notification is emailed, and for all further correspondence.
Shark Tank Presenters are paying delegates: All selected presenters are required to register as a paying delegate for the conference and be available to present in person during the 2027 annual conference, being held on 20-21 May 2027 in Manchester. A selected Shark Tank presenter does not have the same entitlements as an invited speaker.
Time to register: To make the most of the early bird conference registration fees it is advisable to register as soon as possible, even if this is before the Shark Tank shortlist is announced. If your proposal is not accepted for the conference and you decide you no longer wish to attend, there will be just a £25 administration fee to cancel your registration.
What happens after you have submitted?
You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received. If you don’t receive this email, check that you have indeed submitted the pitch and it’s not sitting in drafts or contact the organisers. Your submission will be sent for review after the closing date, and you will be notified of the outcome by email after 16 February 2027.
Please note that notification emails will be sent to the email address provided when you submitted your paper.
