St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2027

The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is an international prize run by the University of St Andrews in Scotland for innovative, proven solutions to major environmental problems. Entries for the 28th edition are now closed; the row carries no entry deadline and the official pages do not state one. The final of this edition is set for Tuesday 23 March 2027 at the University of St Andrews. The pages do not say how often the prize runs or whether, or when, another call will open: they label this edition the 28th and link a 2025-2026 winner and previous winners, but state no frequency.

The prize is open to applicants from any country, including India, and it is not limited to startups. The final is live and in person: three finalists must be in St Andrews from Sunday 21 to Wednesday 24 March 2027 to present to the judges.

What the program offers

The winner receives US$95,000 (about ₹90 lakh) and the runner(s)-up receive US$20,000 each (about ₹19 lakh), to take the project to its next level. Winner and runners-up also receive a two-week internship visit from a University of St Andrews student, paid for by the University. The University may consider funding a third week if the internship project cannot be finished in two. Visits normally take place in the summer vacation, June to August. The prize is a cash award, not an investment.

Who can apply

Individuals, organisations and community groups from across the world can enter, provided they are tackling a major environmental problem in an innovative way. The project must be fully established, able to show data and evidence that it works, able to expand to another place or have its key elements used elsewhere, and in need of funding with a clear plan for the prize money. It should inspire others, meet high ethical standards and be inclusive.

The prize is not open to projects at the idea, pilot or prototype level, projects led by a university, research projects, infrastructure projects, or requests to fund a one-off event or the day-to-day running costs of an existing initiative. It also excludes projects with no environmental benefit, projects that exclude groups in society, political, lobbying or religious activities, and projects designed for fundraising. For an Indian founder or NGO this suits a running environmental venture or community programme with measurable results; it is a poor fit for a company that is still testing its idea.

How to apply

Entries are made through the online entry form on the prize website, in English. You explain the environmental problem, why your solution is innovative, the evidence that it works, and how the prize money would help the project grow and spread. You must also outline how your project would benefit from an internship visit and how a student would learn conservation skills and practical abilities, though you do not need a formal internship programme. The University discourages entrants from using generative AI to produce the entry. A practical tip: keep your impact data and a plan for the money ready before any future call opens; this is a tip, not an official requirement.

How applications are judged and what happens next

A Screening Committee of University academic and professional staff reviews the entries and draws up a shortlist for the judges. Shortlisted entrants send a short video and two independent references; referees cannot be current employees, friends or family, and may be contacted during due diligence. The judges and committee may reject any entry they do not have enough confidence in. Three projects are chosen for the final, where they present to the judges in English and answer questions in English, and the judges then select the winner and runner(s)-up. Finalists who need a translator may bring one, but must arrange and pay for the translator themselves.

About the St Andrews Prize

The prize was established in 1998 and was awarded with ConocoPhillips until 2020; since then it has been awarded by the University alone. It has attracted over 6,500 entries and has awarded more than US$3 million to 27 winners and 54 runners-up. Its judging panel for the 28th edition is chaired by Professor Sir Ian Boyd.

Things to check before you apply

• Sanctions: the University is unlikely to be able to pay countries under international sanctions, so projects there should check before applying.
• Travel: finalists must be in St Andrews for the final; the pages do not say who pays for finalists' travel, so ask the organisers.
• Internship: you must be able to host a student for two weeks, so plan space, supervision and visa or safety arrangements.
• Dates: the pages give no entry opening or closing date and do not say how often the prize runs, so watch the official page for any future call rather than assuming one.