The Zayed Sustainability Prize Opens Submissions For Its 2027 Cycle

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, a global award recognizing sustainability and humanitarian innovation, has officially opened submissions for its 2027 cycle. 

With a total prize fund of US$7.2 million, the award, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, calls on small and medium enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and high schools to submit solutions across six categories: health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools. 

Now in its 18th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has impacted more than 400 million people worldwide and continues to build on the vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, by supporting initiatives that drive inclusive and sustainable development worldwide.  

Commenting on the launch, HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said, “Guided by Sheikh Zayed’s humanitarian values, the Zayed Sustainability Prize reflects the UAE’s commitment to advancing solutions that deliver real, measurable impact. By championing innovation in all its forms—from community-led approaches to cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)—the Prize supports solutions that improve lives and reach the most vulnerable”. 

Applicants are required to demonstrate tangible results and align with the Prize’s core evaluation pillars, including impact, innovation, and inspiration. Winners in each of the five organizational categories will receive $1 million, while recipients in the Global High Schools category will be awarded $150,000 to support the implementation or expansion of student-led initiatives within their communities. 

Building on the 2026 cycle, the Prize has adopted an expanded funding structure that extends financial support to finalists. Under this model, a total of $1.3 million is allocated to shortlisted entries, with each organization in the main categories receiving $100,000, and each selected high school receiving US$25,000, to accelerate the growth of promising solutions even before the final stage. 

Submissions are reviewed through a structured three-stage evaluation process. Entries are first screened through due diligence to ensure alignment with the Prize’s criteria. This is followed by in-depth reviews conducted by independent, category-specific expert committees. Finalists are then presented to a jury, which selects the winners across all categories. Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony in 2027. 

The deadline for submissions is June 22, 2026. Submissions are accepted in seven languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Applicants can find further details and submit their entries here. 

Pictured in the lead image is a scene from a previous edition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Image courtesy Zayed Sustainability Prize.