Deadline: 27-Jun-2026
The WISE Prize for Education is a global award programme supporting innovative education solutions that improve learning outcomes and learner wellbeing. Selected finalists receive up to USD 125,000, mentorship, and scaling support, while top winners share a USD 1 million prize fund.
About the Programme
The WISE Prize for Education supports education innovations focused on:
- Improving learning outcomes
- Expanding educational access
- Supporting marginalized learners
- Strengthening learner wellbeing
- Responsible use of AI in education
- Literacy and numeracy development
- Crisis and fragile-context education
- Inclusive and lifelong learning
The 2026–2027 cycle focuses on practical and scalable education solutions with measurable impact.
Funding Details
Finalist Support
Selected finalists will receive:
- USD 100,000–125,000 each
- Mentorship and coaching
- Product and implementation support
- Guidance on scaling and evidence generation
Winner Awards
- Total Prize Fund: USD 1 million
- Shared among the top three winners at WISE 13
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports innovations related to:
- AI and digital learning
- Education in crisis settings
- Learner mental and emotional wellbeing
- Foundational literacy and numeracy
- Inclusive and special-needs education
- Early childhood development
- Vocational and higher education
- Informal and lifelong learning
- Culture and language preservation in education
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include legally registered organizations worldwide, such as:
- Universities and colleges
- Schools and school networks
- NGOs and civil society organizations
- Community organizations
- Government agencies
- International organizations
- Private-sector companies
- Non-profit organizations
Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Eligible Education Sectors
Applications are accepted from:
- Pre-primary education
- Primary and secondary education
- Higher education
- Vocational training
- EdTech and digital learning
- Inclusive and special-needs education
- Lifelong learning programmes
What the Programme Looks For
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Proven educational impact
- Evidence-based approaches
- Scalability and adaptability
- Strong implementation potential
- Measurable learning improvements
- Positive learner wellbeing outcomes
Projects should already show success and be ready for:
- Expansion
- Testing in new contexts
- Wider implementation
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Present a scalable education innovation
- Provide evidence of effectiveness
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes
- Explain implementation and sustainability plans
- Show how the solution supports underserved learners
FAQ
- How much funding do finalists receive?
- Finalists receive between USD 100,000 and USD 125,000.
- What is the total prize fund?
- The top winners share a total of USD 1 million.
- Who can apply?
- Legally registered organizations from anywhere in the world.
- Can individuals apply?
- No, individual applications are not eligible.
- What education areas are supported?
- The programme supports all education sectors, including EdTech, higher education, early childhood education, and inclusive learning.
- Does the programme support AI-based education solutions?
- Yes, responsible and effective AI use in education is a key focus area.
Conclusion
The WISE Prize for Education 2026–2027 supports impactful and scalable education innovations that improve learning, inclusion, and wellbeing for learners worldwide, especially in underserved and crisis-affected communities.
For more information, visit World Innovation Summit for Education.