Tag Archives: GLOBAL CHALLENGE

2026 GCSP PRIZE FOR INNOVATION

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 23 September 2026, at 23:59 UTC+2. 

LOCATION: Switzerland

Apply for the 2026 GCSP Prize for Innovation. Launched in 2015 as part of the GCSP’s Creativity and Innovation Initiative, the GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security recognizes groundbreaking contributions that address the world’s most pressing security challenges.

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to all disciplines and sectors, the prize highlights the most inspiring and original achievements of the year—whether through new initiatives, technological innovations, research publications, or institutional accomplishments.

The prize is awarded for projects by any individual, group of individuals, or organization (from private or public sectors) that contribute to global security and have been submitted for consideration according to these rules and regulations.

Submissions may come from any country, but the projects should go beyond national borders in their reach or thinking and seek to address global security in innovative ways or through new ideas. A broad range of projects could qualify for consideration, including, but not limited to, technological and conceptual innovations, original research, or grassroots initiatives.

The prize is intended to encourage and recognize excellence in contributing to new approaches to enhancing sustainable global security.

The prize is awarded by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), as part of its Programme for Geopolitics and Global Futures, under the Creativity and Innovation Initiative.

Employees, staff, current fellows, and current participants of the GCSP, as well as their family members, are not eligible participants. For the above categories to be eligible participants, a period of 1 year since the termination of the relationship with the GCSP must be respected.

All entries must be submitted via the online submission form in order to be considered for the prize and shall include:

A project abstract of 250 words maximum;

A well-developed project description, which should not exceed 750 words in length;

A description of the technical process of the project submitted (if applicable);

An estimate of the budget required for the project;

An explanation of how the project provides a novel contribution to the field of global security;

A description of the short-term and long-term impact of the project in the field of global security;

A declaration stating whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including generative AI, agentic AI, and multimodal tools and applications, were used in the preparation of any part of the submission and, if so, which tools were used and how.

 Up to five image files (optional).

BENEFIT:

The first-place laureate receives a CHF 10,000 cash prize and a certificate of excellence in recognition of their outstanding contribution to global peace and security. 

Second- and third-place recipients will be honoured with certificates of recognition, while two additional projects will receive honourable mentions.

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ELSEVIER FOUNDATION CHEMISTRY FOR CLIMATE ACTION CHALLENGE

Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

LOCATION:  Netherlands

The Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge is one of the Elsevier Foundation’s flagship partnerships. Together with Elsevier’s Chemistry journals, the Elsevier Foundation provides funding for 2 winning projects per year, implementing green & sustainable chemistry solutions in the Global South—advancing both Climate Action (SDG 13) and Gender Equity (SDG 5).

ELIGIBILITY:

The Challenge is open to individuals and organizations whose projects use green and sustainable chemistry solutions to tackle some of the developing world’s greatest sustainability challenges.

Proposals need to have strong green and sustainable chemistry component, using a novel approach for a solution to an urgent problem.

Be applicable in and suitable for low- and middle-income countries, replicable, scalable, sustainable, and have an impactful gender component.

The challenge also supports SDG5 Gender Equality, recognizing the pivotal role that women play in combating climate change.

Projects submitted to the challenge must therefore take into consideration gender components, such as addressing the role of women in adapting to climate shifts and participating in policymaking and leadership roles.

BENEFIT:

The winning projects will receive a prize of $25,000 each. The winners will be announced at the 10th Elsevier Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference (18-20 May, 2026) in Dresden, Germany.

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