Deadline: 23-Sep-2026
The GCSP Prize for Innovation celebrates outstanding and innovative contributions that support impactful solutions in global security and peace. The prize recognizes bold achievements across disciplines, including initiatives, inventions, research publications, technological innovations and organisational accomplishments.
Organised by the GCSP Geopolitics and Global Futures Department, the prize is open to individuals and organisations from all relevant sectors and fields. The first-place laureate receives a cash prize of CHF 10,000 and a certificate of excellence.
Prize Overview
The GCSP Prize for Innovation recognizes outstanding contributions that advance creative, original and impactful solutions in global security and peace.
The prize is designed to celebrate the most inspiring and groundbreaking achievement of the year.
It welcomes contributions from a wide range of disciplines and sectors, reflecting the need for interdisciplinary thinking in addressing global challenges.
Prize Amount
The first-place laureate receives:
- CHF 10,000 cash prize
- Certificate of excellence
The award recognizes the laureate’s contribution to global peace and security.
Main Objective
The main objective of the GCSP Prize for Innovation is to celebrate innovative achievements that contribute to global security, peacebuilding and future-oriented solutions.
The prize aims to:
- Recognize outstanding innovation
- Support creative approaches to global security
- Highlight peacebuilding contributions
- Encourage interdisciplinary solutions
- Promote bold thinking on geopolitical futures
- Showcase research, technology and institutional achievements
- Reward inspiring contributions across sectors
Key Focus Areas
The prize supports innovation and impact across fields related to security and peace.
Key focus areas include:
- Innovation
- Global security
- Peacebuilding
- Research
- Technological advancement
- Institutional achievements
- Creative solutions
- Geopolitical futures
- Interdisciplinary contributions
- Global challenges
- Security policy
- Peace and stability
What the Prize Recognizes
The GCSP Prize for Innovation recognizes achievements that are original, inspiring and relevant to global peace and security.
Eligible achievements may include:
- New initiatives
- Inventions
- Research publications
- Organisational accomplishments
- Technological innovations
- Creative policy solutions
- Institutional successes
- Interdisciplinary projects
- Practical tools or approaches
- Innovative responses to global challenges
The achievement should demonstrate originality and a meaningful contribution to the field.
Who Can Apply?
The prize is open to individuals and organisations from all relevant disciplines and sectors.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Researchers
- Innovators
- Practitioners
- Organisations
- Institutions
- Think tanks
- Civil society actors
- Technology developers
- Policy professionals
- Peacebuilding actors
- Academic teams
- Interdisciplinary groups
The prize emphasizes inclusivity and broad participation.
Eligible Disciplines and Sectors
The prize is not limited to one academic or professional field.
It welcomes contributions from disciplines and sectors connected to:
- Global security
- International relations
- Peacebuilding
- Technology
- Research
- Policy
- Governance
- Conflict prevention
- Human security
- Strategic foresight
- Institutional innovation
- Geopolitical analysis
This broad approach allows diverse ideas and solutions to be considered.
Innovation Requirement
The prize focuses on achievements that demonstrate innovation.
Innovation may include:
- A new idea
- A new method
- A new tool
- A new institutional approach
- A new research contribution
- A new technology
- A creative solution to a security or peace challenge
Applicants should clearly explain what makes the achievement original and why it matters.
Impact Requirement
Strong submissions should show how the achievement contributes to global security and peace.
Impact may include:
- Advancing knowledge
- Improving policy thinking
- Supporting peacebuilding
- Strengthening institutions
- Addressing security risks
- Promoting stability
- Supporting conflict prevention
- Creating new tools for decision-makers
- Encouraging collaboration across sectors
The achievement should have clear relevance to global challenges.
Organising Department
The prize is organised by the GCSP Geopolitics and Global Futures Department.
The department’s involvement reflects the prize’s focus on future-oriented, innovative and interdisciplinary thinking in global security.
Why This Prize Matters
Global security challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected.
Traditional approaches alone may not be enough to address emerging risks, conflict dynamics, technological change and geopolitical uncertainty.
The GCSP Prize for Innovation matters because it highlights bold ideas and achievements that offer new ways to think about peace, security and global cooperation.
By recognizing individuals and organisations, the prize helps give visibility to solutions that can inspire wider action.
How to Prepare a Strong Submission
Applicants should present a clear and compelling description of the achievement and its relevance to global security and peace.
Step 1: Identify the Achievement
Applicants should clearly define the initiative, invention, research publication or organisational accomplishment being submitted.
The achievement should be specific and easy to understand.
Step 2: Explain the Innovation
The submission should explain what makes the achievement new, original or groundbreaking.
Applicants should highlight how the contribution differs from existing approaches.
Step 3: Show Relevance to Global Security and Peace
Applicants should connect the achievement to global security, peacebuilding or geopolitical futures.
The relevance should be clearly stated and supported with examples.
Step 4: Demonstrate Impact
Applicants should explain the results, influence or potential contribution of the achievement.
This may include policy relevance, practical use, research value, institutional change or peacebuilding impact.
Step 5: Highlight Interdisciplinary Value
Because the prize is open across disciplines, applicants should show how the achievement brings together different perspectives, sectors or fields where relevant.
Step 6: Present Evidence Clearly
A strong submission should use clear evidence to support the importance of the achievement.
This may include:
- Results achieved
- Users or beneficiaries reached
- Publications or recognition
- Institutional adoption
- Practical applications
- Partnerships
- Measurable outcomes
- Future potential
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Submitting a vague or poorly defined achievement
- Failing to explain what is innovative
- Not linking the work to global security or peace
- Providing limited evidence of impact
- Describing general activities instead of a specific accomplishment
- Overlooking the interdisciplinary nature of the prize
- Using technical language without explaining relevance
- Failing to show why the contribution is inspiring or groundbreaking
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly describe the achievement
- Explain the originality of the contribution
- Show strong relevance to global security and peace
- Highlight practical or intellectual impact
- Demonstrate creativity and bold thinking
- Include evidence of results or potential influence
- Use accessible language
- Explain why the achievement stands out
- Connect the work to current or future global challenges
FAQ
1. What is the GCSP Prize for Innovation?
The GCSP Prize for Innovation is an award that recognizes outstanding and innovative contributions to global security and peace.
2. Who organises the prize?
The prize is organised by the GCSP Geopolitics and Global Futures Department.
3. What types of achievements are eligible?
Eligible achievements may include initiatives, inventions, research publications, technological innovations and organisational accomplishments.
4. Who can apply?
The prize is open to individuals and organisations from all relevant disciplines and sectors.
5. What are the main focus areas?
The prize focuses on innovation, global security, peacebuilding, research, technological advancement, institutional achievements, creative solutions, geopolitical futures and interdisciplinary contributions.
6. What does the first-place laureate receive?
The first-place laureate receives a cash prize of CHF 10,000 and a certificate of excellence.
7. What makes a strong submission?
A strong submission clearly explains the achievement, demonstrates innovation, shows relevance to global security and peace, and provides evidence of impact or future potential.
Conclusion
The GCSP Prize for Innovation provides international recognition for individuals and organisations advancing bold and creative solutions in global security and peace.
With a CHF 10,000 cash prize and certificate of excellence for the first-place laureate, the prize celebrates original achievements that can inspire action across disciplines and sectors.
Applicants should present clear, evidence-based submissions that show innovation, impact and strong relevance to global peace, security and geopolitical futures.
For more information, visit GCSP.