The 2026 GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security recognises projects that contribute to new approaches for enhancing sustainable global security. Awarded by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, the prize is open to submissions from individuals, groups, and organisations from any country. The first-place laureate receives CHF 10,000 and a certificate of excellence. The application deadline is Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC+2.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: 2026 GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security
Category: Prize
Awarding Organization: Geneva Centre for Security Policy
Organising Department: Geopolitics and Global Futures Department
Format: Virtual
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC+2
Winners Announcement: Fall 2026
First Prize: CHF 10,000 and a certificate of excellence
Eligible Submissions: Projects by individuals, groups of individuals, or organisations
About the 2026 GCSP Prize for Innovation
The GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security was launched in 2015 as part of the GCSP’s Creativity and Innovation Initiative. The prize recognises contributions that address important global security challenges through creative and impactful approaches.
The prize is organised by GCSP’s Geopolitics and Global Futures Department. It highlights achievements across disciplines and sectors, including new initiatives, technological innovations, research publications, institutional accomplishments, and grassroots initiatives.
Submissions may come from any country. However, projects should go beyond national borders in their reach or thinking and address global security in innovative ways.
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Prize and Recognition
The 2026 GCSP Prize for Innovation includes cash recognition for the first-place laureate and certificates for selected finalists.
Selected projects may receive:
✓ CHF 10,000 cash prize for the first-place laureate
✓ Certificate of excellence for the first-place laureate
✓ Certificates of recognition for second- and third-place recipients
✓ Honourable mentions for two additional projects
The cash prize for the first-place submission is paid by bank transfer. No certificates of participation will be issued to applicants whose projects are not selected among the top five.
Eligible Projects
The prize is awarded for projects that contribute to global security. A broad range of project types may be considered.
Eligible project examples include:
• Technological innovations
• Conceptual innovations
• Original research
• Grassroots initiatives
• New initiatives connected to global security
• Institutional accomplishments in the field
Projects should provide a novel contribution to global security. They should also show short-term and long-term impact in the field.
Who Can Submit?
Submissions may be made by:
• An individual
• A group of individuals
• An organisation from the private sector
• An organisation from the public sector
Employees, staff, current fellows, and current participants of the GCSP are not eligible. Their family members are also not eligible. These categories may become eligible only after one year has passed since the relationship with the GCSP ended.
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Submission Requirements
All entries must be submitted through the online submission form. Submissions made through any other channel will not be considered.
Applicants must submit their entries in English.
The submission should include:
• A project abstract of maximum 250 words
• A project description of maximum 750 words
• A description of the technical process, if applicable
• An estimate of the project budget
• An explanation of the project’s novel contribution to global security
• A description of the project’s short-term and long-term impact
• A declaration on whether AI tools were used in preparing any part of the submission
• Up to five image files, optional
The AI declaration must state whether tools such as generative AI, agentic AI, or multimodal tools were used. If AI tools were used, applicants must explain which tools were used and how.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Valid submissions are first evaluated by a panel of independent GCSP experts. The experts score each submission, and the 15 best-graded entries are then passed to a panel of judges.
The judging panel is co-chaired by the Director of the GCSP and the Director of the Geopolitics and Global Futures Department.
The judges select:
• First-place winner
• Second-place winner
• Third-place winner
• Two honourable mentions
The selection criteria are:
• Dedication to sustainable global security
• Preservation of human dignity, security, and justice
• Creativity
• Originality
The GCSP reserves the right to disqualify any submission from further consideration.
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Winner Announcement
All winners will be notified immediately before the public announcement. The announcement will be made during an event in Fall 2026.
Winners agree to have their names published for promotional purposes together with a description of the winning project. They also agree to be available for media requests, including photographs and interviews.
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Key Dates
• Application Deadline: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC+2
• Winner Announcement: Fall 2026
• Virtual Event Date: 23 September 2026
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must complete the online submission form and provide all required information in English.
Before submitting, applicants should prepare a concise project abstract, a well-developed project description, an explanation of the project’s novelty, impact details, and the AI-use declaration required by the official rules.
Submissions must be completed before Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC+2.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
