Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025-2026 ( Fully Funded)

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is now accepting applications for its 2025 –2026 cycle. This prestigious global award from the United Arab Emirates honors impactful and innovative sustainability solutions that are changing the world. It recognizes the contributions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), and global high schools in the fields of health, food, energy, water, climate action, and education.

Launched in 2008 to continue the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize reflects his deep commitment to humanitarianism and environmental stewardship. Since its first ceremony in 2009, the Prize has recognized 128 winners, improving the lives of over 400 million people worldwide through transformative, sustainable solutions.

The total prize fund of $5.9 million is shared across all categories. Winners receive not only funding but also full support to attend the Awards Ceremony in the UAE, with travel and accommodation expenses covered.

This is more than just an award—it’s a platform to elevate your impact and join a global network of changemakers driving a more sustainable future. A dedicated team works year-round to ensure the Prize continues to empower and celebrate pioneering innovations that make a real difference.

Benefits of the Zayed Sustainability Prize:

The total prize fund is USD $5.9 million for Zayd Sustainability Prize is distributed as follows:

• Health USD $1,000,000
• Food USD $1,000,000
• Energy USD $1,000,000
• Water USD $1,000,000
• Climate Action USD $1,000,000
• Global High Schools USD $900,000
  (divided amongst six schools; awarding each up to USD $150,000)

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Eligibility Criteria for Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025-26:

HEALTH:

This category recognizes organizations that have demonstrated innovative, impactful, and inspiring sustainability solutions in the areas of health, including, but not limited to:

• Ensure access to essential and affordable healthcare
• Guarantee access to maternal and newborn health care
• End epidemics (AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, etc.)
• Prevention and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases transmitted by water
• Reduce diseases caused by pollution, dangerous chemicals, and pollution.
• Organizations must also demonstrate a clear vision and long-term plan to implement their solution further, increase its impact, and inspire others to follow suit and promote human and sustainable development.
• To be eligible for this category, organizations must be small or medium-sized businesses (SME) or non-profit organizations (NPO).

FOOD:
This category recognizes organizations that have demonstrated innovative, impactful, and inspiring sustainability solutions in the areas of food, including, but not limited to:

• Reduce hunger and malnutrition
• Increase agricultural or other food processing productivity
• Promotion of sustainable food production
• Organizations must also demonstrate a clear vision and long-term plan to implement their solution further, increase its impact, and inspire others to follow suit and promote human and sustainable development.
• To be eligible for this category, organizations must be small or medium-sized businesses (SME) or non-profit organizations (NPO).

ENERGY:

This category recognizes organizations that have demonstrated innovative, impactful, and inspiring sustainability solutions in the areas of energy that include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure access to affordable and reliable clean energy
• Increase clean energy production
• Improving energy efficiency
• Introduction of new forms of clean energy or other technological innovations.
• Organizations must also demonstrate a clear vision and long-term plan to implement their solution further, increase its impact, and inspire others to follow suit and promote human and sustainable development.
• To be eligible for this category, organizations must be small or medium-sized businesses (SME) or non-profit organizations (NPO).

WATER:

This category recognizes organizations that can demonstrate innovative, impactful, and inspiring sustainability solutions in the areas of water that include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water
• Ensuring access to sanitation and hygiene
• Increase the efficiency of water use
• Improving water quality
• Organizations must also demonstrate a clear vision and long-term plan to implement their solution further, increase its impact, and inspire others to follow suit and promote human and sustainable development.
• To be eligible for this category, organizations must be small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) or non-profit organizations (NPO).

GLOBAL HIGH SCHOOLS

The global high school’s category recognizes high schools or high schools from six global geographic regions that propose innovative, impactful, and inspiring sustainability projects in the areas of health, food, energy, and/or water.

• The proposed project could be in one area (e.g., water) or a combination of areas (e.g., energy, water, food, and health).
• The award is intended to encourage students to develop and implement their sustainability ideas and is not intended for administrative projects or educational reforms in the school.
• The award in this category is not awarded for past achievements but will allow students from winning high schools to implement sustainability projects in their own schools. These student-led projects must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges and inspire students to participate in sustainable development.

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