WISE Prize for Education 2026–27
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Quick Answer
Qatar Foundation's WISE Prize for Education 2026-27 closed on 27 June 2026. Finalists get US$100,000-125,000 (about ₹95 lakh-₹1.19 crore); the top three share US$1 million. No next cycle announced.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Qatar Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 27 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Qatar Foundation. 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 WISE Prize for Education 2026-27 call is closed. It opened on 10 May 2026 and closed on 27 June 2026. The official page covers only this cycle and gives no details of a future one, so no next round is announced. Use this page to prepare for a later call.
The WISE Prize for Education is a global award run by WISE (the World Innovation Summit for Education), an initiative of Qatar Foundation. It finds proven education solutions and backs them with funding, mentoring and support to reach scale. It is international, so Indian education organisations can apply; it is not limited to Qatar or the Middle East.
What the program offers
Every finalist receives US$100,000 to US$125,000 (about ₹95 lakh to ₹1.19 crore) in development funding for a 12-month program to build a minimum viable product (MVP), with one-to-one coaching, workshops and links to Qatar's innovation partners. At the WISE 13 Summit in late 2027, finalists present to a global audience and the top three share a US$1 million prize pool: US$500,000 for first place (about ₹4.75 crore), US$300,000 for second and US$200,000 for third.
Who can apply
Only legally registered organisations working in education can apply; individuals cannot. Companies, non-profits, schools, universities, civil society groups and government agencies from anywhere in the world are eligible. The organisation must have operated for at least two years, must not depend entirely on a single source of funding, and must have at least one full-time team member available to work on the solution. It needs documented evidence that its work succeeds. The solution should be past the idea stage, at prototype or pilot level with early evidence of impact, and be an MVP of an approach that already works, ready to be adapted, tested or scaled in new contexts. Only one application per project is allowed, and work already recognised by WISE cannot be resubmitted. It suits established education organisations with results to show, not early idea-stage founders.
The 2026-27 challenge asked for measurable improvements in learning or life outcomes, in at least one of five priority areas: reaching marginalised and underserved learners, responsible use of AI and new technology, culture and language including mother-tongue approaches, core skills such as literacy and numeracy, and learner wellbeing. Solutions for Arabic learning, the MENA region or Qatar's priorities are particularly encouraged.
How to apply
Submit one application per project on the WISE Prize application portal during the open call. Full guidelines are on the WISE process page. A practical tip: collect your outcome evidence, funding sources and team details before the call opens.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The WISE team screens and scores applications on credentials, innovation, feasibility, scalability and sustainability, and contextualisation. Shortlisting balances the five priority areas and geographies. Semi-finalists then go through about three months of due diligence, an innovation sprint judged by an independent jury and a committee review. Finalists are approved by Qatar Foundation leadership and announced in the last quarter of 2026, with the MVP program starting in January 2027. The WISE Prize Jury picks the top three at WISE 13. The official page does not say where WISE 13 is held or whether it is in person.
About WISE
WISE is an initiative of Qatar Foundation focused on education innovation. The Prize is one of its programs for finding and scaling education solutions with proven impact.
Things to check before you apply
- No next cycle is announced; watch the WISE site.
- The prize is awarded in US dollars; Indian organisations should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
- The 12-month MVP program is a time commitment from your team.
- The official page does not state an entry fee; confirm in the guidelines.
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
WISE is an education innovation initiative of Qatar Foundation, founded in 2009. Its EdTech Accelerator supports early-stage edtech startups over one year, and it also runs the WISE Prize for Education and an EdTech Testbed for schools in Qatar. How the programmes work The WISE…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
What You Get
Every finalist receives US$100,000–125,000 (about ₹95 lakh to ₹1.19 crore) to design, test and refine its MVP over 12 months, regardless of final placing. Finalists also get one-to-one coaching, bi-monthly check-ins, in-person workshops, links to WISE's local innovation partners in Qatar and access to its global network. At the WISE 13 Summit, the top three are awarded from a US$1 million pool: US$500,000 (about ₹4.75 crore), US$300,000 and US$200,000.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The WISE team screens and scores applications on credentials, innovation, feasibility, scalability and sustainability, and contextualisation, balancing priority areas and geographies. Semi-finalists face due diligence, an innovation sprint judged by an independent jury and a committee review. Qatar Foundation leadership approves finalists, and the WISE Prize Jury picks the top three at the WISE 13 Summit.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit on the WISE Prize portal during the open call.
You - 2
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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
Is the WISE Prize for Education still open?
No. The 2026-27 call closed on 27 June 2026. The official page gives no details of a next cycle.
Can Indian organisations apply for the WISE Prize?
Yes. It is a global award open to registered education organisations anywhere. You do not need to be based in Qatar or the Middle East.
Who can apply?
Legally registered organisations working in education, including companies and non-profits, with at least two years of operation, more than one funding source, a full-time team member for the project and documented evidence of impact. Individuals cannot apply.
How much money is involved?
Each finalist gets US$100,000-125,000 (about ₹95 lakh-₹1.19 crore). The top three then share US$1 million: US$500,000, US$300,000 and US$200,000.
What stage should the solution be at?
Past the idea stage. It should be at prototype or pilot level with early evidence of impact, and be an MVP of an approach that already works.
What are the priority areas?
Reaching marginalised learners, responsible use of AI, culture and language, core skills such as literacy and numeracy, and learner wellbeing.
When are finalists announced?
In the last quarter of 2026. The MVP program starts in January 2027 and the WISE 13 Summit is in late 2027.
Do finalists have to travel?
Finalists present at the WISE 13 Summit. The official page does not say where it is held or whether it is in person.
Is it free to enter?
The pages reviewed state no entry fee. Check the guidelines when the next cycle opens.
What happens to the funding if we are a finalist?
It funds a 12-month MVP development program with coaching and workshops. The source does not say whether the funding is a grant or has repayment terms.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
