2026 ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE IN THE UAE 

Application Deadline: 23 June 2025

LOCATION: UAE

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award that recognises and rewards small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools with impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions.

ELIGIBILITY:

Program Categories:

Health: Improving Healthcare Access

Food: Combating Food Insecurity

Energy: Powering Communities

Water: Supply of Safe Drinking Water

Climate Action: Advancing Climate Migration and Adaptation

Global High Schools: Inspiring Youth Leadership

Candidates from the following regions can apply: The Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, Europe & Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia & Pacific

Innovation (40%):

Solution must be novel or significantly improve existing solutions.

Demonstrate a unique value proposition.

Exhibit technical and commercial viability.

Show evidence of potential or actual market adoption.

Impact (30%):

Demonstrate a clear positive impact on quality of life.

Address significant social, economic, technological, or environmental challenges.

Exhibit organizational resilience to potential challenges.

Demonstrate good governance and skilled personnel.

Implement fair policies.

Provide a detailed plan for effective use of prize funds.

Inspiration (30%):

Embody core values of sustainability and human development.

Reflect the legacy of Sheikh Zayed.

Inspire further sustainable and human development actions.

Influence community adoption of sustainable behaviors.

BENEFIT:

The total prize fund of US$ 5.9 million is distributed amongst six categories:

Health: US $1,000,000

Food: US $1,000,000

Energy: US $1,000,000

Water: US $1,000,000

Climate Action: US $1,000,000

Global High Schools: US $900,000, with up to US $150,000 awarded to one school from each of the six global regions.

Airfare Tickets

Accommodation

Ground Transport

No Application Fees

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