The Zayed Sustainability Prize invites SMEs, non-profit organisations, and global high schools to apply for its 2027 cycle. Offering up to USD 1 million per category in Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools, the Prize rewards innovative, scalable sustainability solutions. Applications close 15 June 2026.
About Zayed Sustainability Prize
Established in 2008 in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – founding father of the United Arab Emirates – the Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award for sustainability and humanitarian innovation. Managed by Masdar and affiliated with Erth Zayed Philanthropies, the Prize recognises and rewards SMEs, non-profit organisations, and global high schools with impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions. Now in its 18th year, the Prize has awarded 128 winners who have transformed the lives of over 400 million people worldwide across six categories.
Background
The Prize carries forward the vision of Sheikh Zayed, who was renowned for his commitment to the environment, social welfare, and humanitarian development. With a total prize fund of USD 7.2 million in the current cycle, the Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to elevate organisations and young leaders whose work advances access to clean energy, safe water, nutritious food, quality healthcare, and climate resilience. Beginning with the 2026 cycle, an enhanced funding model also awards USD 100,000 to each finalist in the five organisational categories and USD 25,000 to each finalist in the Global High Schools category.
About this Grant
The Zayed Sustainability Prize 2027 cycle is open for global submissions across six categories. Winning organisations in Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action each receive USD 1 million, while winning high schools in each of six global regions receive USD 150,000.
Categories
Health: Innovative solutions ensuring access to essential and affordable healthcare, maternal and newborn care, epidemic control, and disease prevention.
Food: Solutions addressing hunger and malnutrition, increasing agricultural productivity, and ensuring sustainable food systems.
Energy: Approaches ensuring access to affordable and reliable clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and advancing clean energy innovation.
Water: Solutions ensuring access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and improving water use efficiency.
Climate Action: Proven solutions in climate adaptation, resilience building, sustainable land use, nature-based solutions, and carbon capture.
Global High Schools: Student-led sustainability projects in health, food, energy, and/or water, implementable within one to two years, from six global regions – The Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Central Asia, South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific.
Eligibility and Evaluation
All entries are evaluated on three criteria: Impact, Innovation, and Inspiration. Submissions undergo a rigorous three-stage evaluation process involving due diligence, a Selection Committee review, and final deliberation by the Prize Jury.