The Zayed Sustainability Prize in the UAE 2025 offers a $1 million prize, an awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi where winners will be invited to attend the Zayed Sustainability Prize Gala. The Abu Dhabi government will cover the costs of flights, accommodation and internal transportation for the finalists.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award that recognises and rewards small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools with impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions.
The Prize honours the humanitarian and sustainability legacy of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To date, we have awarded 128 winners and through them we have transformed the lives of over 400 million people.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a pioneering global award launched by the United Arab Emirates to recognise and reward small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and global high schools that deliver impactful, innovative and inspiring sustainability solutions.
The award honours the humanitarian legacy and sustainability of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To date, the award has awarded 128 winners and through them we have changed the lives of over 400 million people.
Summary
- Competition venue: Online, if you win you will travel to Dubai.
- Countries available for application: all countries of the world.
- The competition does not require an English language certificate when applying.
- Application deadline: June 23, 2025.
Also, apply for Prince Sultan University Undergraduate Scholarships 2025 in Saudi Arabia (Funded)
Contest Topics
Health: Improving access to healthcare
Food: Combating food insecurity
Energy: Empowering communities
Water: Providing safe drinking water
Climate action: Promoting climate migration and adaptation
Global high schools: Inspiring youth leadership
Benefits
Financing When you win, you will get the following benefits:
- Flight tickets to the Emirates.
- Free accommodation.
- Internal mobility.
- There is no application fee.
The winner of each topic will receive:
- Health: $1,000,000
- Food: $1,000,000
- Power: $1,000,000
- Water: $1,000,000
- Climate Action: $1,000,000
- Global High Schools: $900,000, with up to $150,000 awarded to one school from each of the six global regions.
Eligibility criteria
Innovation (40%):
- The solution must be new or significantly improve existing solutions.
- Demonstrate a unique value proposition.
- Demonstrate technical and commercial feasibility.
- Demonstrate evidence of potential or actual market adoption.
Impact (30%):
- Demonstrate a clear positive impact on quality of life.
- Addressing significant social, economic, technological or environmental challenges.
- Demonstrate organizational flexibility in the face of potential challenges.
- Demonstrate good governance and skilled staff.
- Implement fair policies.
- Provide a detailed plan for the effective use of prize money.
Inspiration (30%):
- Embodying the core values of sustainability and human development.
- Reflecting the legacy of Sheikh Zayed.
- Inspiring more sustainable and human development actions.
- Influencing community adoption of sustainable behaviors.
How to apply?
To apply for this opportunity, click here, or the Apply Now button below.
