Kluz Prize for PeaceTech
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Quick Answer
Kluz Prize for PeaceTech: a US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh) annual award for an established project using technology to save lives or reduce conflict. The 2026 round closed on 10 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Kluz Ventures
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 10 August 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Kluz Ventures. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The 2026 round of the Kluz Prize for PeaceTech is closed. Applications shut on 10 August 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern time, and the official page does not yet announce dates for a next round, although earlier editions ran in 2022 to 2025, so a yearly pattern is likely. The prize is open to individuals and organisations worldwide, including Indian founders, and the winner receives US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh).
The prize is run by Kluz Ventures together with The GovLab, and it rewards technology used for peace. Read this page as a guide to preparing before the next call opens.
What the program offers
One winner receives US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh). The organisers describe it as recognition of the winner's achievements and support for taking the project further. The 2026 winner was honoured at a ceremony in New York on 23 September 2026. Beyond that, the page names no mentoring or other package, so treat the prize as cash plus visibility.
Who can apply
Individuals and organisations from any country can apply, alone or as a group. If you apply as a group, you must give the organisation's name and a legal representative. The organisers say they want projects that apply transformative technologies to peace, and they particularly encourage the younger generation and the tech community: entrepreneurs, engineers, programmers, scientists, startups and accelerators.
The important filter is maturity. Only established projects that have already had an impact qualify, and the prize is not looking for proposals for new projects. An Indian startup with a live product, real users and evidence of results suits it well. A founder with only an idea or a prototype should wait.
"PeaceTech" here means using technology and data to save lives, protect human dignity, prevent or address conflict and help people live with security. Examples named include AI and predictive modelling, satellite and drone imaging, crowdsourcing, digital communication platforms, biometrics and robotics.
How to apply
Applications go through the online form on the prize website when a call is open. The official FAQ does not list the individual form fields or documents, so check the current year's page once it opens. A practical tip: since the judging criteria are published, prepare a short written case for each one before the call opens, with figures for the people you have helped.
How applications are judged and what happens next
A selection committee that includes the founding donor and international experts in peace, technology, investment and international affairs reviews the entries. The seven published criteria are:
- Relevance to the PeaceTech definition
- Innovation, meaning a clear gap in the field that you fill
- Technology, including how it works and your measures for safety, reliability, privacy, security and responsible use
- Impact, with a stated intended impact and a plan to measure it
- Needs assessment, meaning a realistic view of resources, partners and the support still needed
- Scalability, with a feasible plan to use the award to grow beyond the first pilot
- Peacewashing, which asks whether the project could be used to give a false image of peace work
In 2026 the committee deliberated in August, decided in early September and presented the award in late September.
About Kluz Ventures and The GovLab
Kluz Ventures is a values-driven investment firm founded by Artur Kluz, focused on long-term investment in entrepreneurs and technologies that support human flourishing. The GovLab is an action research centre that uses science and technology to change how people are governed and to improve lives. Together they run the prize.
Things to check before you apply
- This is a prize for past impact, not a grant for a plan. Do not apply with a concept.
- The official page gives no detail on whether the winner must travel to the ceremony, so ask the organisers if that matters to you.
- Be ready to explain safety, privacy and responsible use of your technology, and to show you have thought about peacewashing risk.
- The page does not say whether entry is free. It lists no fee.
- Keep an eye on the prize website for the next application period, which the organisers ask applicants to check for.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The selected winner receives US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh) for their accomplishments and to support further growth of the project. Winners and special-distinction recipients are recognised at an award ceremony in New York held alongside the UN General Assembly and the International Day of Peace.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
A selection committee of the founding donor and international experts in peace, technology, investment and international affairs scores entries on seven criteria. In 2026 it deliberated in August and decided in early September.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit the application form while the yearly window is open.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian startups apply for the Kluz Prize for PeaceTech?
Yes. The prize is open to individuals and organisations worldwide, and startups are named among the groups it wants to encourage. Your project must be established and have had a real impact.
How much is the Kluz Prize?
The winner receives US$20,000, which is about ₹19 lakh. The organisers say it recognises the winner's achievements and supports further development of the project.
Can I apply with a new idea?
No. The organisers state that only established projects that have already had an impact qualify, and that they are not seeking proposals for new projects.
What was the deadline, and what if it has passed?
The 2026 deadline was 10 August 2026 at 9:00 AM EDT, so that round is closed. The official page does not give dates for the next round, so check the prize website for the next application period.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is a cash prize. The official page does not mention equity or any ownership stake.
What counts as PeaceTech?
The organisers define it as the intentional use of technology and data to save lives, protect human dignity, prevent or address conflict and help people live with dignity and security. Examples include AI, satellite and drone imaging, crowdsourcing, biometrics and robotics.
How are applications judged?
A selection committee scores relevance, innovation, technology, impact, needs assessment, scalability and peacewashing risk. The committee includes the founding donor and international experts.
Can a group or company apply?
Yes, applications can be made individually or as a group. A group must give the organisation's name and a legal representative.
Do I have to travel to receive the prize?
The 2026 award was presented at a ceremony in New York. The official page does not say whether attendance is required, so ask the organisers if travel is a concern.
Is there a fee to enter?
The official page lists no application fee but does not say outright that entry is free.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
