[June 2026]
Explore the latest global awards, prizes, and innovation challenges recognizing changemakers worldwide. These opportunities support NGOs, startups, researchers, and innovators working across social, environmental, and development sectors through funding, recognition, and global visibility.
2026 Earthna Prize for Traditional Knowledge and Sustainability Solutions
Deadline: 20-July-2026
The Earthna Prize 2026 is a global award program recognizing organizations and initiatives that preserve, apply, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural heritage to address environmental and sustainability challenges…[more]
Call for Nominations: 16th Annual Pursuit Award
Deadline: 11-September-2026
Applications are now open for the 16th Annual Pursuit Award, an international research award that recognizes PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent doctoral graduates conducting research in pediatric disability…[more]
Mobility Challenge for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Startups
Deadline: 25-June-2026
The Mobility Challenge offers startups a platform to co-create and deploy cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with industry support and mentorship…[more]
Nominations open for the Hilton Humanitarian Prize 2027
Deadline: 30-April-2027
The Hilton Humanitarian Prize is an annual international award honoring nonprofit organizations that demonstrate exceptional contributions to alleviating human suffering…[more]
RELX Environmental Challenge for Clean Water, Sanitation and Ocean Innovation
Deadline: 12-July-2026
The RELX Environmental Challenge 2026 is a global innovation competition focused on environmental sustainability and resilience…[more]
Entries open for Future Generation Art Prize
Deadline: 28-June-2026
Applications are now open for the Future Generation Art Prize, an international competition that recognizes and supports outstanding emerging artists aged 35 and under from around the world…[more]
Nominations open for STREETS Awards
Deadline: 15-August-2026
The STREETS Awards recognize outstanding social enterprises and initiatives creating measurable social impact in the global hospitality and tourism sector…[more]
ONE World Sustainability Awards for Industrial Innovators
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has opened applications for the ONE World Sustainability Awards 2026, a prestigious global initiative that recognises and promotes ground-breaking contributions to sustainable industrial development worldwide…[more]
Nominations Open: Energy Efficiency Award 2027
Deadline: 08-September-2026
The 2027 Energy Efficiency Award is a global recognition program that celebrates transformative innovations in system-level energy efficiency…[more]
WISE Prize for Education Supporting Global Education Innovations
Deadline: 27-June-2026
The WISE Prize for Education is a global award programme supporting innovative education solutions that improve learning outcomes and learner wellbeing…[more]
Call for Nominations: Zero Project Awards 2027
Deadline: 21-June-2026
The Zero Project Network Call for Nominations (#ZeroCall27) is a global initiative that identifies and promotes innovative solutions supporting disability inclusion…[more]
Nominations open for Fetisov Journalism Awards 2026
Deadline: 15-September-2026
Applications are now open for the Fetisov Journalism Awards 2026, a global competition recognizing exceptional journalism that promotes peace, civil rights, investigative reporting, and environmental awareness…[more]
Call for Applications: Global Innovation Challenge 2026
Deadline: 31-August-2026
The Global Innovation Challenge 2026 is requesting applications to support young social entrepreneurs and innovators leading projects and startups that create positive social and environmental impact worldwide…[more]
Landing Pad Summer – Aichi Prefecture Startup Accelerator Program
Deadline: 19-June-2026
The Agorize is inviting global innovators to collaborate with leading Japanese manufacturing companies through structured business matchmaking and innovation partnerships in Japan…[more]
Entries open for Future Generation Art Prize
Deadline: 28-June-2026
Applications are now open for the Future Generation Art Prize, an international competition that recognizes and supports outstanding emerging artists aged 35 and under from around the world…[more]
Submissions open for The Quantum AI Leap Challenge
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Santander X Global Challenge | The Quantum AI Leap supports startups and scaleups developing innovative quantum and AI-based technologies with the potential to create significant social and economic impact…[more]
Entries Open: AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards 2026
Deadline: 01-August-2026
The 2026 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize outstanding science journalism across print, digital, video, audio, and children’s media worldwide…[more]
Open Call: Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity
Deadline: 30-June-2026
Applications open for Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity recognizes organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes and advance equitable access to quality maternity care for women and communities around the world…[more]
Nominations open for Copic Award
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The COPIC AWARD 2026 is an international creative platform designed to highlight artistic expression using Copic materials…[more]
Call for Nominations: Zairi International Awards
Deadline: 30-November-2026
The Zairi International Awards celebrate universities and higher education institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance in transforming education systems and contributing to society…[more]
Request for Applications: Young Climate Prize
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Young Climate Prize is an international programme designed to support young people who are actively leading climate action projects…[more]
TO DO Award for Socially Responsible Tourism
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The TO DO Award is a global competition that recognizes tourism projects, initiatives, and services committed to socially responsible and sustainable tourism practices…[more]
Submission Open for International Photography Awards
Deadline: 05-September-2026
The Xposure International Photography Awards are part of the broader Xposure programme in Sharjah. They are designed to celebrate exceptional photography from around the world by highlighting creativity, storytelling, and technical mastery…[more]
Nominations open for The Brain Prize 2027
Deadline: 01-September-2026
The Brain Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious neuroscience awards, presented annually by the Lundbeck Foundation…[more]
Open Call: Challenge Competition for Leading Companies 2026
Deadline: September 11, 2026
The Challenge Competition 2026 is offering to support companies in Finland by boosting research and development investments that drive innovation, create new business ecosystems, and strengthen long-term competitiveness…[more]
Entries open for K-Startup Grand Challenge Programme
Deadline: 17-June-2026
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is inviting applications for K-Startup Grand Challenge programme to support global startups in entering, establishing, and expanding their operations in the Korean market…[more]
Entries open for Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The Young Poets Competition is a free international poetry contest for young writers aged 11–17…[more]
Kellogg Family Early-Career PatientOriented Diabetes Research Award
Deadline: 02-July-2026
The Early Career Patient-Oriented Diabetes Research Award is designed to support emerging investigators working in type 1 diabetes clinical research…[more]
Breakthrough T1D Career Development Award for Researchers
Deadline: 02-July-2026
The Breakthrough T1D Career Development Award supports early-career researchers advancing type 1 diabetes research across basic, clinical, translational, and psychosocial domains…[more]
Applications Open: Abbey Road Music Photography Awards
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards is an international competition that recognizes photographers capturing music culture, live performances, and artist imagery worldwide…[more]
Submissions open for Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Deadline: 15-September-2026
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a worldwide science communication competition for high school students…[more]
Hubert Butler Essay Prize for European Essay Writing Excellence
Deadline: 03-July-2026
The Hubert Butler Essay Prize is a yearly award that celebrates strong essay writing with a European focus…[more]
European Award 2026: New Dialogues Between the Arts and Audiences
Deadline: 26-June-2026
Applications are now open for the European Award 2026, an initiative that supports non-profit cultural organisations developing innovative audience-engagement projects that strengthen connections between arts, culture, and communities across Europe…[more]
Submissions open for the Cooper Prize
Deadline: 19-June-2026
The 16th Street Foundation and Company 16 have launched the second edition of the Cooper Prize, an international playwriting competition supporting bold and thought-provoking original theatre works…[more]
Call for Submissions: SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest
Deadline: 16-September-2026
The SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest is organized by SPIE to celebrate the role of light in science, technology, and everyday life…[more]
Automatic Extraction of Pinna Shape Anatomical Landmarks Challenge
Deadline: 15-July-2026
The Automatic Extraction of Pinna Shape Anatomical Landmarks Challenge invites students and recent graduates from Europe and the United Kingdom to develop innovative media technology solutions focused on automatic extraction of anatomical landmarks from pinna shapes…[more]
Call for Entries: AI for Safer Roads Innovation Challenge
Deadline: 25-June-2026
The AI for Safer Roads Innovation Challenge is now accepting applications from innovators worldwide to develop AI-driven solutions that improve road safety across Asia and the Pacific…[more]
Nominations open for Women in Ag Award
Deadline: 10-July-2026
The Women in Ag Award recognises outstanding women globally in agriculture, agribusiness, education, and research/technology…[more]
Call for Applications: Corporate Citizenship Awards
Deadline: June 19, 2026
The Citizens Awards recognize businesses that demonstrate leadership in addressing global challenges through impactful corporate citizenship initiatives…[more]
Call for Entries: James Dyson Award
Deadline: 15-July-2026
Applications are open for the James Dyson Award, an international competition that supports emerging design engineers with funding, visibility, and career-building opportunities…[more]
TWAS-Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award for Women Scientists
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The TWAS–Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award is an international recognition established to honour exceptional women scientists working in Agricultural Sciences and Biology…[more]
TWAS-Mohammad A. Hamdan Award for Outstanding Mathematical Work
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The TWAS–Mohammad A. Hamdan Award is a biennial international award recognizing outstanding mathematical research by scientists living and working in Africa or the Arab region…[more]
Nominations Open: Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The TWAS–Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences is an international recognition established by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) to honour exceptional women scientists from Least Developed African countries…[more]
Apply Now: TWAS-Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The TWAS–Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award recognizes outstanding women scientists from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) whose research has made significant environmental and biodiversity impacts…[more]
Open Call: Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science
Deadline: 18-September-2026
The Wellcome Prize is now accepting applications to support the development of innovative interventions that improve the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and psychosis…[more]
2026 Direct Submission Award for Community Empowerment
Deadline: 06-July-2026
The Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2026 Direct Submission Award for Community Empowerment invites filmmakers outside selected Asian regional competition countries to submit micro films focused on belonging, resilience, and thriving…[more]
Entries open for Bett Asia Awards for Educational Excellence
Deadline: 16-July-2026
The Bett Asia Awards 2026 recognise educators, institutions, EdTech companies, and innovators transforming education across the Asia-Pacific region through technology-driven solutions…[more]
Entries Open: Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2026 recognize outstanding conservation projects that preserve cultural heritage and engage communities…[more]
Nominations open for TAF Curator Award (South Asia)
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The TAF Curator Award – South Asia 2026 recognizes outstanding curators whose work contributes significantly to contemporary art discourse across South Asia and its diasporas…[more]
Nominations open for WHO Public Health Champion Award
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The WHO South-East Asia Public Health Champion Award 2026 recognizes exceptional individuals and institutions that have made significant and lasting contributions to public health in the Region…[more]
Call for Nominations: Henri Boulard Award
Deadline: 15-September-2026
The Henri Boulard Award recognizes and funds local initiatives that address microbiota protection and its connection to human, animal, and environmental health…[more]
Open Call: Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy
Deadline: 13-August-2026
Applications are now open for the Milken-Motsepe Prize to support scalable companies using technology to enhance circular economy practices across a variety of industries in Africa…[more]
Call for Projects: Digital Energy Challenge 2026
Deadline: 17-June-2026
The Digital Energy Challenge Call for Projects 2026 supports innovative SMEs in developing and implementing digital solutions to improve energy systems and grid operations across Africa…[more]
Nominations open for GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition 2026
Deadline: 28-June-2026
The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is inviting applications to support and showcase young African agripreneurs developing innovative and impactful solutions across the food and agribusiness sector…[more]
Nominations open for AL-Sumait Prize for African Development
Deadline: 31-August-2026
The AL-Sumait Prize is a prestigious $1,000,000 international award recognizing individuals and institutions driving sustainable development in Africa…[more]
Nominations open for Africa Sustainable Futures Awards
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Africa Sustainable Futures Awards is offering to support innovative private sector-led solutions that address development challenges and promote sustainable economic growth across Africa…[more]
Call for Entries: ESG Student Innovation Challenge (Africa)
Deadline: 16-July-2026
The Student Innovation Challenge 2026, organised as part of the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo (SEACon), invites students to present innovative solutions addressing sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges…[more]
Applications Open for Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award was established in 2020 to promote science and technology-driven solutions to social challenges in the ASEAN region…[more]
Call for Nominations: Asian Technology Excellence Awards
Deadline: 26-June-2026
The Asian Technology Excellence Awards recognise outstanding technological innovation and celebrate organisations and leaders driving digital transformation across Asia through impactful technology-driven initiatives…[more]
Open Call: CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism 2026 recognizes exceptional investigative journalists whose work promotes transparency, accountability, ethical reporting, and democratic values…[more]
Apply Now: Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism honours high-quality investigative and in-depth journalism that defends and promotes the foundational values of the European Union…[more]
Nominations Open: Middle East Technology Excellence Awards
Deadline: 26-June-2026
The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards is a recognition platform that celebrates leading companies driving technological innovation across various industries in the Middle East region…[more]
2027 European Heritage and Europa Nostra Awards
Deadline: 07-September-2026
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2027 recognize outstanding achievements in cultural heritage across Europe, including conservation, education, research, and citizen engagement…[more]
Entries open for Artists’ Collecting Society Studio Prize
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The Artists’ Collecting Society Studio Prize 2026 provides £6,000 in funding to support emerging visual artists with a dedicated studio space for one year in the UK…[more]