Zayed Sustainability Prize – 2026 Global Call for Applications
The 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize has officially opened its global call for applications, inviting innovators, entrepreneurs, NGOs, academic institutions, and impact-driven enterprises to apply for one of the world’s most prestigious sustainability awards.
The Prize recognises and funds scalable, high-impact solutions that address critical global challenges in Health, Food, Energy, and Water. With awards of up to US$1 million, the Prize enables organisations to expand operations, deepen impact, and accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Unlike many innovation competitions that focus purely on technology, the Zayed Sustainability Prize rewards solutions that demonstrate:
- Measurable and proven impact
- Long-term sustainability and financial viability
- Community-centred and inclusive design
- Scalability and replicability across geographies
This is a global opportunity for organisations ready to move from demonstrated success to accelerated scale.
Prize Categories (2026)
Applicants must align their solution to one of the following categories:
1. Health
Solutions that strengthen healthcare systems, improve access to care, prevent disease, or enhance community health outcomes.
2. Food
Innovations that improve food security, agricultural productivity, nutrition, and climate-resilient food systems.
3. Energy
Renewable energy solutions, energy access initiatives, efficiency innovations, and clean technologies that support low-carbon transitions.
4. Water
Solutions addressing water security, sanitation, conservation, watershed resilience, and access to clean water.
Each category recognises solutions that are innovative, impactful, scalable, and sustainable.
What Winners Receive
Selected winners benefit from:
- Funding Awards: Up to US$1 million per category to scale operations
- Global Visibility: International recognition, media coverage, and credibility
- Strategic Support: Access to sustainability experts, advisors, and networks
- Partnership Access: Connections to investors, institutions, and global forums
- Long-Term Engagement: Inclusion in sustainability events and global platforms
The Prize acts as a catalyst for exponential growth and systemic impact.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open globally to:
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Social enterprises and impact ventures
- Startups and technology innovators
- Academic and research institutions
- Community-based organisations and grassroots initiatives
Both non-profit and for-profit entities may apply.
General Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate existing measurable impact
- Present a working or tested solution
- Align clearly with one of the Prize categories
- Be legally registered (where applicable)
- Provide credible impact data and outcome metrics
- Show a clear pathway to scale or replication
Applicants are advised to review official guidelines before submission.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online via the official Prize portal. The process includes:
- Selecting the relevant category (Health, Food, Energy, or Water)
- Completing the online application form
- Providing impact data, organisational information, and sustainability model
- Uploading supporting documentation (financials, impact reports, testimonials, etc.)
- Submitting before 15 June 2026
Early preparation is strongly recommended to ensure all documentation and impact evidence are complete.
Why This Matters
The Zayed Sustainability Prize has supported hundreds of organisations globally, catalysing impact across essential sectors and linking local innovators to global ecosystems.
For organisations with demonstrated results and readiness to scale, this Prize offers:
- Significant non-dilutive funding
- International credibility
- Strategic ecosystem integration
- Accelerated global expansion opportunities
Applications are now open globally.
Organisations working in sustainable health, food systems, renewable energy, or water innovation are encouraged to apply before 15 June 2026.
Click HERE to visit the official website.