Country: United Arab Emirates
Program Name: Zayed Sustainability Prize
Category: Global Award
Funding: US $7.2 million total fund
Deadline: June 2026
Eligibility: SMEs, NPOs, and Global High Schools
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is presented on its official page as the UAE’s pioneering global award. It recognises and rewards small to medium sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and global high schools that offer sustainable solutions described by the source as impactful, innovative, and inspiring.
Purpose
The official page states that the Prize honours the humanitarian and sustainability legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. It further explains that the Prize was established in 2008 to continue that legacy through support for sustainability, inclusivity, and global development.
Who It Supports
The source explicitly names three eligible groups: SMEs, NPOs, and global high schools. It also makes clear that the Prize rewards sustainable solutions that benefit communities around the world.
Award Amounts
According to the official page, the total fund for the Prize is US $7.2 million. Each winner in the five organisational categories receives US $1 million. Winners in the Global High Schools category receive US $150,000 to implement or expand student-led projects in their communities. The same page states that organisational finalists receive US $100,000 and Global High Schools finalists receive US $25,000.
Impact Figures
The official page reports that 139 winners have been awarded to date and that, through them, over 400 million lives have been transformed. It also lists impact figures including 17 million people reached with nutritious food, 54.1 million homes powered by renewable energy, 11.4 million people with access to clean and affordable drinking water, 159 billion litres of water saved, over 1.2 million people gaining access to affordable healthcare, and 580,000 women and newborns receiving safe maternal healthcare.
Timeline
The awards cycle displayed on the source page states that submissions open in January 2026 and close in June 2026. It also lists shortlist submissions for August 2026, announcement of finalists in September 2026, and the awards ceremony in January 2027.
How to Apply
The source page includes an “Apply Now” link and shows the application cycle timing. No additional step-by-step application process is explicitly stated on the provided page.
