Closed Closed — 2027 cycle submissions ran from 26 January to 22 June 2026; winners will be announced on 12 January 2027
Zayed Sustainability Prize — US$1 million awards for SMEs and non-profits, plus a Global High Schools award
This cycle is closed. The requirements below are kept as they were published. The 2028 cycle's dates are not published yet. The 2027 cycle opened on 26 January 2026.
At a glance
Where
Online entry; finalists invited to the ceremony
Who
SMEs, non-profits and high schools
Award
US$1M winners; US$100k finalists
Deadline
Closed 22 Jun 2026
Apply
Prize submissions portal
Who can apply
Criteria stated by the funder on the official source.
Who can apply
Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action are open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organisations. Early-stage start-ups, prototypes and solutions without demonstrated impact on the ground are not rewarded.
Stated
Global High Schools
High or secondary schools serving students aged 11 to 19; the entry is submitted by students and supported by school management, and the project must be operational within one to two years.
Stated
Language
Entries are accepted in English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin).
Stated
Limits
One category per entity; previous winners of any category cannot apply again; financial information must be included; there is no entry fee.
Stated
Funding and what it does not cover
Organisational category winners receive US$1,000,000 each and finalists US$100,000 each; in Global High Schools, six regional winners receive US$150,000 each and 12 finalist schools US$25,000 each, from a total fund of US$7.2 million. Prize money must go to the programme or solution described in the entry. A July 2026 press release gives US$150,000 per organisational finalist.
Covered by the funder
US$1,000,000 per organisational category winner
US$100,000 per organisational finalist
US$150,000 per Global High Schools regional winner and US$25,000 per finalist school
Flights and accommodation for finalists to attend the Awards Ceremony
