Zayed Sustainability Prize

Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a prestigious global award established by the United Arab Emirates in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE and a champion of environmental stewardship. The prize recognises and funds scalable, high-impact innovations that address critical global challenges across five categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools.

Prize Structure

Each year, the prize awards up to USD $1 million per category to winning organisations. Winners are announced at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. There is no application fee, and applications are open globally — including to India-based startups, SMEs, and NGOs.

Eligibility

The prize is open to:

• SMEs and startups with proven, scalable solutions delivering real-world impact
• NGOs and nonprofits working in sustainability sectors
• High schools globally through the Global High Schools category

Applicants must demonstrate:

• An operational, tested solution (not early-stage or conceptual)
• Measurable positive impact on people or the planet
• Scalability and potential for broader adoption

Focus Areas

• Health: Healthcare access, diagnostics, telemedicine, maternal health
• Food: Agritech, food security, sustainable agriculture, supply chain
• Energy: Renewable energy, clean cooking, energy access
• Water: Clean water access, sanitation, water conservation

Track Record

The Zayed Sustainability Prize has supported hundreds of organisations across more than 150 countries, benefiting over 421 million people. Indian organisations have been among past winners.

Who Should Apply

Indian startups, SMEs, and NGOs that have deployed and validated solutions in health, food, energy, or water — especially those serving underserved communities or operating at scale — are strong candidates. The prize is particularly valuable for social enterprises and impact-driven organisations seeking global visibility and non-dilutive capital.