The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to expand its global impact in supporting sustainable solutions

Abu Dhabi, April 11, 2026: The Zayed Sustainability Prize has expanded its scope of support, announcing the funding of all its final candidates for the 2027 cycle, after adopting the same approach in the 2026 cycle, in a step that reflects the evolution of the award’s role from a platform for recognition to an integrated support system that accompanies projects in their various stages, and contributes to accelerating their implementation on the ground.

All finalists will receive grants worth $100,000 for individual projects and $25,000 for student teams, confirming that reaching this stage is no longer the end of the path, but rather an actual beginning towards implementation and expansion.

This trend embodies the award’s commitment to supporting solutions that have proven their readiness and ability to make a tangible impact in their communities.

During the last session of the award, 33 finalists were selected in categories including health, food, energy, water, climate action and international high schools. While a limited number of them were crowned as winners, the rest of the finalists also received financial support, as 22 projects were funded to contribute to developing and expanding their solutions, ensuring that promising innovations are not overlooked, but are effectively enabled to grow and achieve a tangible impact.

The approach comes as an extension of the UAE’s role in supporting initiatives that contribute to addressing development and environmental challenges around the world, as it continues, through the award, to consolidate its position as an active partner in enabling innovation and enhancing the ability of societies to deal with challenges in the areas of water, energy, food and health.

Dr. Hassan Arafat, Senior Director of the Research and Innovation Center for Graffiti and Two-Dimensional Materials at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said that the role of the award is not limited to honoring innovators in the fields of sustainability, but extends to building a true partnership with them and providing them with the necessary support to expand the scope of their impact and enable them to build resilient societies capable of withstanding challenges, given that flexibility is the essence of sustainability.

He confirmed to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the members of the selection committee are always looking for solutions capable of enhancing the resilience of communities to ensure that they live in dignity and achieve growth.

He added, throughout the award cycles, we have witnessed the impact of this continuous support in bringing about radical and tangible change by providing funding and providing a platform that highlights the winners and final candidates, and allows them to expand on a global scale and reach more people. We believe that innovation, when combined with financial support, guidance and empowerment, turns into a limitless force that elevates humanity and contributes to building a sustainable future for future generations.

The approach is demonstrated in realistic models from the field. In South Korea, eGreen Global is one of the small to medium companies developing innovative solutions in the agricultural sector, producing disease-free seed potatoes using microtuber technology in indoor plant factories.

The technology has contributed to saving more than 10 million potato seeds annually, benefiting about 15 million people, in an example that reflects the role of innovation in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of food production.

In Lebanon, a team of students from a public school developed a surface water purification system that combines solar energy with artificial intelligence. The award’s support enabled them to develop their prototype and test it in the field, which contributed to transforming a student idea into a workable project.

The last cycle of the award recorded a record number of 7,761 applications from 173 countries, an increase of 30% compared to the previous cycle, which reflects the growing global interest in the award and confidence in its role in supporting innovators and expanding the scope of their solutions.

The participating projects varied between health solutions supported by artificial intelligence, circular food systems, initiatives to adapt to climate change, and innovative solutions in the fields of energy and water, which reflects the nature of the challenges targeted by the award and the solutions it supports.

The humanitarian impact of the award reached more than 411 million beneficiaries around the world, as safe water reached 12 million people, healthy food was provided to 27 million, health care services extended to 79 million, and electricity lit 54 million homes.

This impact reflects the role the award plays in supporting practical solutions that contribute to improving the lives of communities and enhancing their ability to face challenges.

The award reinforces this trend through the “Beyond 2020” initiative, which has contributed to improving the lives of 429,800 people in 19 countries by bringing the solutions of the winners and finalists to the communities most in need.

The award is currently receiving applications for participation in its 2027 session from small and medium-sized companies, non-profit institutions and high schools. Applications will close on June 22, 2026, and the winners will be announced during the awards ceremony that will be held in Abu Dhabi in January 2027.

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