Zayed Sustainability Prize attracts strong global participation

The Zayed Sustainability Prize has closed submissions for its 2027 awards cycle, receiving 10,233 entries from 177 countries.

The UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges attracted projects across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.

Now in its 18th year, the prize continues to support organisations and schools developing practical solutions to global challenges, particularly in underserved communities.

This year’s entries increased by 32 per cent compared with the previous cycle, with applicants highlighting innovations in areas including artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy and climate action.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said the strong participation reflects growing global efforts to develop solutions that build resilience and improve lives.

The Climate Action category received the highest number of submissions, followed by Food and Health.

Entries will now undergo evaluation by international experts, with finalists to be revealed in September, and the winners announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on January 12, 2027.

Since its launch, the prize has supported 139 winners and positively impacted more than 411 million people worldwide.

Each organisational category winner will receive $1 million, while six high schools, representing global regions, will each receive $150,000 to implement or expand their projects.

Each organisational finalist will receive $150,000, while each high school finalist will receive $25,000.

10,233 submissions.
177 countries.
Unprecedented global momentum.

This year’s Zayed Sustainability Prize submissions reflect the unstoppable drive of innovators advancing resilient solutions around the world.

Finalists will be announced this September. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/mUl5kaG6W8

— Zayed Sustainability Prize (@ZSP_ORG) July 13, 2026