Deadline: December 15, 2025
Applications are now open for the prestigious World Sustainability Award 2026, presented by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation. This global honour recognises outstanding individuals or teams whose work significantly advances sustainable development across the Biosphere, Society, and Economy.
The World Sustainability Award 2026 seeks to spotlight and reward thought leaders, scientists, and practitioners who are making real contributions towards a sustainable future—aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About the World Sustainability Award 2026
The World Sustainability Award is administered by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, a non-profit arm of the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). Since its inception, the award has served as a benchmark for excellence in sustainability research and innovation.
For 2026, the award offers a total prize of $150,000, divided equally among three winners, each representing one of the following core sustainability pillars:
- Biosphere
- Society
- Economy
Each laureate will receive $50,000 in unrestricted funding to continue their work in sustainability, making this one of the most substantial individual awards in the field globally.
Award Categories
Submissions for the World Sustainability Award 2026 are accepted in three major categories:
- Biosphere: Environmental sustainability and climate action
- Society: Social justice, education, health, and community development
- Economy: Sustainable business practices, circular economy, and economic models promoting equity
These categories ensure that the award captures a wide array of impactful efforts across scientific, academic, policy, and grassroots innovation landscapes.
Who Can Be Nominated?
The nomination process is strictly third-party based—self-nominations are not permitted. Eligible nominators include:
- Academic institutions
- Research organisations
- Professional societies
- Peer researchers or colleagues
Nominees must have a strong track record of contributing to sustainability through research, innovation, or real-world implementation.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Call for Nominations Opened: July 25, 2025
- Nomination Form Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
- Final Nomination Deadline (by third-party submission): January 30, 2026
- Award Ceremony: World Sustainability Forum 2026
How to Apply for the World Sustainability Award 2026
- Find a Nominator: Reach out to a qualified nominator such as your institution, research partner, or professional colleague.
- Prepare Supporting Documents: This includes CV, project summary, key achievements, and impact narratives.
- Submit Through Official Channels: The nominator must complete the official forms and submit the full nomination package via the MDPI Sustainability Foundation portal.
- Await Feedback: Finalists and winners will be notified in advance of the award ceremony at the World Sustainability Forum 2026.
Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | World Sustainability Award 2026 |
| Organiser | MDPI Sustainability Foundation |
| Total Prize | $150,000 (3 winners × $50,000) |
| Categories | Biosphere, Society, Economy |
| Eligibility | Third-party nominations only |
| Deadline | December 15, 2025 (forms) / January 30, 2026 (full entry) |
| Award Ceremony | World Sustainability Forum 2026 |
✨ Why You Should Apply
Winning the World Sustainability Award 2026 provides not only significant funding but also global recognition, media exposure, and validation from a highly respected international jury. This is a rare opportunity for sustainability champions to gain the support needed to scale their solutions or research further.
📩 Need help preparing a winning proposal?
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
🔗 Click here to nominate for the World Sustainability Award 2026
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