Zayed Sustainability Prize - Global High Schools
US$150,000 school project grant
Global award funding student-led sustainability projects in secondary schools, with US$150,000 for one winning school in each of six world regions.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Team
Teams of 2 or more
Duration
Submissions stay open for about five months each cycle, and winning projects are implemented over 12 to 24 months.
Time needed
Depends on the time taken to make the entry
Eligibility
Open to high schools and secondary schools serving students aged 11 to 19, anywhere in the world. Indian schools compete within the South Asia region. The project proposal must be prepared and submitted by the students and supported by the school management. Entry is free and made only through the online submissions portal.
- Age range
- 11 to 19 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Applicant must be a high school or secondary school; the proposal must be prepared by its students and supported by the school management.
- Prerequisites
- A student-led project team formed at the school
- A project plan in health, food, energy or water with costed budget
- School management endorsement of the submission
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
US$150,000 per winning school
One winning school in each of the six world regions receives US$150,000 to implement the sustainability project described in its submission. Twelve finalist schools receive US$25,000 each. The funds must go towards the proposed project, at least 80 percent must be spent on expenses directly related to the proposed solution or technology, and the funds cannot be used for general school infrastructure.
Prizes
Winner and finalist awards
Six regional winners and twelve finalist schools are recognised each cycle, and all finalists are invited to the annual awards ceremony in the United Arab Emirates.
Recognition
International recognition for the school
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 26 Jan 2026
- Registration closed
- 22 Jun 2026
- Competition
- 12 Jan 2027
- Results
- 12 Jan 2027
Jury Meeting
The Jury meets in person to deliberate on the finalists and elect the winner in each region.
Online · Zayed Sustainability Prize online submissions portal
How to apply
- 1Form a student-led project team at the school
- 2Research a sustainability project and consult experts
- 3Prepare a project plan with costs
- 4Register on the Prize portal and complete the category form
- 5Submit the entry before the annual deadline
Rules and guidelines
- Entries accepted only through the online portal
- One Prize category per applicant
- Previous winners of any category cannot reapply
- Submission period is not extendable
- Attachments limited to 25 MB each
Technology requirements
- Internet access and a browser for the submissions portal
- Documents as Word, PDF or JPG for appendices
- Video links hosted on YouTube or Vimeo if used
About this opportunity
The Global High Schools category of the Zayed Sustainability Prize funds student-led sustainability projects proposed by secondary schools. Schools from six world regions compete, and Indian schools are entered in the South Asia region.
Students form a project team at their school and propose a project in health, food, energy or water that can be implemented and operational within one to two years. The application must be submitted by the students and supported by the school management. Entries are accepted only through the Prize online portal, and there is no entry fee.
One winning school in each region receives US$150,000 to build the project, and twelve finalist schools receive US$25,000 each. The award is not given for past achievements. The money funds the proposed project itself, at least 80 percent must be spent on expenses directly related to the proposed solution, and it cannot be used for general school infrastructure.
Submissions are assessed in three stages, through technical due diligence, a Selection Committee that shortlists finalists, and a Jury of global sustainability leaders that elects the winners. All finalists are invited to the awards ceremony in the United Arab Emirates with flights and accommodation provided.
Rounds and format
Entries are submitted through the online portal during the annual submission window. The first stage is technical due diligence on every submission to confirm it meets the eligibility and evaluation criteria. In the second stage the Selection Committee evaluates and scores entries and draws up a shortlist of finalists. In the third stage the Jury meets in person to deliberate on the finalists and elect the winner in each region, and final decisions must be unanimous. Applicants are notified only if they are selected as finalists, and winners are announced at the annual awards ceremony.
How entries are judged
Global High Schools entries are scored on three published criteria: Inspiration at 40 percent, Innovation at 30 percent and Impact at 30 percent. Innovation looks for a creative idea proposed by students who work together to identify a challenge and build a solution, and for the use of planning, scheduling and budgeting techniques. Impact looks for measurable sustainability outcomes in sustainable energy, clean water, basic healthcare or nutritious food that benefit both current and future students. Inspiration looks for alignment with Sheikh Zayed's core values, long-term sustainability of the project, and the ability to inspire students and the wider community to act.
Selection process
One winning school is selected per world region, giving six winners each cycle, alongside twelve finalist schools. Shortlisting is done by the Selection Committee after due diligence, and the Jury elects the regional winners by unanimous decision. Projects must be able to be implemented and operational within one to two years and must benefit the school community or the local community for several years. Proposals aimed at administrative projects or educational reforms at the school are not eligible, and the award is not given for past achievements.
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
Students identify a sustainability challenge in health, food, energy or water, design a solution, cost it, and set out how it will be built and sustained.
Frequently asked questions
Who submits the application, the school or the students?
The application must be submitted by the students and supported by the school management. Students identify the challenge, design the solution and plan the budget, while teachers, administrators, parents and community members may join the project team.
What ages are eligible?
The category is open to educational institutions serving high school students aged 11 to 19. No separate grade or class band is published, so eligibility follows the age range the school serves rather than a standard or grade number.
Is there a fee to enter?
No. There are no fees to be paid as part of the submissions process, and entries are made only through the online submissions portal.
How much do winning and finalist schools receive?
In each of the six world regions one school wins US$150,000, and twelve finalist schools receive US$25,000 each. Indian schools compete in the South Asia region.
How can the prize money be spent?
The funds must go towards the sustainability project described in the submission. At least 80 percent must be spent on expenses directly related to the proposed solution or technology, and the funds cannot be used for general school infrastructure.
Are travel costs to the awards ceremony covered?
Yes. All finalists are invited to attend the awards ceremony, with flights and accommodation costs provided.
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