Record 2027 submissions came from 177 countries
The Zayed Sustainability Prize closed submissions for its 2027 awards cycle with a record 10,233 entries from 177 countries across six categories.
The total was the highest in the award’s history and 32% above the previous cycle.
Now in its 18th year, the UAE prize covers Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.
More than two-thirds of entries came from developing and emerging economies, including strong participation from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Kenya and the UAE.
Meanwhile, developed markets such as the USA and the UK also submitted strongly in the 2027 cycle.
Applicants included small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools serving vulnerable and underserved communities.
Many 2027 entries focused on resilience, adaptability and systems-level impact through local projects.
Examples included AI-enabled healthcare, agricultural technology, decentralised energy, groundwater access and circular economy models.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and director-general of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “This historic level of participation reflects the growing global demand for practical solutions that build resilience, strengthen essential systems and deliver lasting impact.”
Climate Action received 2,505 entries
Climate Action led all categories with 2,505 submissions.
Food followed with 2,261 entries, while Health received 1,807 and Global High Schools logged 1,710.
Energy attracted 994 entries, and Water received 956.
After the close of submissions in July 2026, the prize moved entries into an independent review and due diligence process.
An international Selection Committee will assess applications before the Jury picks winners in September 2026.
The prize will announce the winners on 12th January 2027 at the awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
Each winner in the organisational categories receives $1 million, while six high schools each receive $150,000.
Organisational finalists receive $150,000, and high school finalists receive $25,000.
Since the launch of the prize, 139 winners have positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide.
Dr. Al Jaber linked the programme to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
He said the prize would keep backing pioneers whose work is practical, community-focused and measured by clear benefits in daily life.
