It honors "individuals who have made outstanding achievements in research, innovation and invention, in fields related to science and technology".

During this same session, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) stepped in and offered its first sponsorship.

In 1994, the seventh session the Khwarizmi Award took another significant step with the participation of new countries from Africa and Asia.

At the 12th session of KIA, applicants under 30 years old, students in Master and Ph.D. degrees, young inventors and innovators were invited to present their candidatures for a new award, with specific criteria.

Consequently at the 13th KIA session, the Khwarizmi Youth Award (KYA) was independently launched to honor young promising scientists and embolden them to keep taking even bigger steps in their research career.

As of 2017[update], 19 sessions of KYA have been held, introducing many young Iranians who have made excellent contributions to the advancement of science, to the wider scientific community.