What is The Earthshot Prize?

The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental prize founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation. It aims to discover, celebrate, and scale innovative solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges across five key areas: Protect & Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate.

How can I apply for The Earthshot Prize?

The Earthshot Prize does NOT accept direct applications or self-submissions. Instead, solutions are put forward by a global network of 'Official Nominators', which include universities, accelerators, investors, NGOs, and government bodies. You must seek out and be nominated by one of these authorized organisations.

What kind of solutions are eligible for the prize?

Eligible solutions must be beyond the 'idea stage' and demonstrate a working prototype or an operating solution that has been rigorously tested with real users and is already showing early positive impact. Pure concepts or unvalidated ideas are not considered.

What are the benefits for winners?

Each of the five annual winners receives a £1,000,000 (approx. ₹10.5 Crore) non-repayable prize to scale their solution. Beyond the funding, winners gain significant global visibility, access to a powerful network of supporters, and tailored support to help accelerate their impact worldwide.

Is The Earthshot Prize open to applicants from India?

Yes, The Earthshot Prize is global in scope with no nationality or geography restrictions. India has a strong track record with two past winners and multiple finalists, and the 2026 award ceremony is scheduled to be hosted in Mumbai, India.

What is the timeline for the 2027 cycle?

The nomination window for the 2026 cycle has closed. Information regarding the 2027 cycle, including nomination opening and closing dates, has not yet been publicly announced. Please monitor the official Earthshot Prize website for updates.

The Earthshot Prize – Up to ₹10.5 Cr

The Earthshot Prize is a prestigious global environmental initiative founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020. It aims to discover, spotlight, and scale innovative solutions to the world's greatest environmental challenges. Each year, the prize awards five catalytic grants of £1,000,000 (approximately ₹10.5 Crore) to winners across five core categories, known as 'Earthshots': Protect & Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. The prize celebrates and supports solutions that offer tangible progress towards repairing our planet within this decade.

The initiative is designed to inspire a generation of innovators to tackle pressing ecological issues, fostering both technological advancements and community-led efforts. With a strong global presence, the Earthshot Prize has garnered international recognition and support, bringing critical attention to urgent environmental needs and showcasing solutions that can be replicated and scaled worldwide. The upcoming 2026 award ceremony, scheduled to be held in Mumbai, India, highlights the prize's commitment to engaging with diverse ecosystems and emerging innovations from across the globe, including from India, which has already seen two past winners.

The selection process for The Earthshot Prize is highly rigorous, involving multiple stages of evaluation. Following the formal nomination by Official Nominators, submitted solutions undergo an initial screening by expert reviewers to ensure they meet the fundamental eligibility criteria and demonstrate significant potential. Shortlisted nominees are then subjected to in-depth analysis by expert advisory panels, comprising leading scientists, environmentalists, business leaders, and policymakers from around the world. These panels assess the impact, scalability, replicability, and innovation of each solution. Finally, the Prize Council, a diverse group of influential figures, reviews the recommendations from the expert panels and makes the ultimate decision on the five annual winners across the Earthshot categories.

Winners of The Earthshot Prize receive a significant £1,000,000 (approximately ₹10.5 Crore) in non-repayable funding. This substantial cash prize is designed to help scale the winning solutions and accelerate their impact. Beyond the financial award, winners gain unparalleled global visibility through a high-profile, televised awards ceremony and extensive media coverage, which opens doors to new markets and partnerships. They also become part of The Earthshot Prize's prestigious 'Earthshot member' network, providing ongoing access to tailored support, expert mentorship, strategic networking opportunities, and facilitation for further fundraising to ensure their groundbreaking solutions reach their full potential.

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