The Global Teacher Prize is a US $1 million award presented to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession.

The Global Teacher Prize serves to underline the importance of educators and the fact that, throughout the world, their efforts deserve to be recognized and celebrated. It seeks to acknowledge the impacts of the very best teachers—not only on their students but also on the communities around them.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Prize is open to currently working teachers who teach children that are in compulsory schooling or are between the ages of five and eighteen. Teachers who teach children age 4+ in an Early Years government-recognized curriculum are also eligible, as are teachers who teach on a part-time basis and teachers of online courses. Teachers must spend at least 10 hours per week teaching children face-to-face and plan to remain in the teaching profession for the next 5 years. The Prize is open to teachers in every kind of school and, subject to local laws, in every country in the world. 

They do not have a specific level of experience required for applicants. However, please look at our criteria page for more information.

Be at least eighteen (18) years old at time of entry;

Must be a currently working teacher who teaches children that are in compulsory schooling or are between the ages of 5 and 18. Teachers who teach children age 4+ in an Early Years government-recognized curriculum are also eligible, as are teachers who teach on a part-time basis and teachers of online courses. 

Spend at least 10 hours per week teaching children face-to-face, and plan to remain in the teaching profession for the next 5 years. 

Not be prohibited from participating in the Contest or receiving the Prize under the applicable law of their country;

Neither the applicant nor any connected person of the applicant has a criminal record.

Neither the applicant nor any connected person of the applicant has conducted themselves (by act or omission) in such a way as to bring the teaching profession or VF, its affiliates, any GEMS Education group company, or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, and subsidiaries (“VF Parties”) into disrepute or to have been adversely prejudicial to the interests of any of them (as may be determined at the sole discretion of VF);

Not be a previous Prize winner; and 

Not be a previous Top 10 candidate.

(A connected person of an Applicant is: the Applicant’s spouse, civil partner, any person with whom the Applicant lives as a partner in an enduring family relationship, siblings, a child or stepchild of the Applicant or Applicant’s sibling, a child or stepchild of an Applicant’s partner (if living with the Applicant and under the age of 18), or the Applicant’s parents; and any legal person, trust or partnership, the managerial responsibilities of which are discharged by the Applicant or any of the aforementioned persons, or which is directly or indirectly controlled by such a person, or which is set up for the benefit of such a person, or the economic interests of which are substantially equivalent to those of such a person).

BENEFIT:

The Varkey Foundation (“VF”) is launching a US$1,000,000 Global Teacher Prize.

The Prize will be paid to the winner (or, in the event of death, his personal representatives or beneficiary(ies), as applicable) by VF in equal annual installments of US$100,000 over a period of ten (10) years, subject to any tax or other withholding required under applicable law, and otherwise in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.