During the awarding ceremony of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. ARCHIVE

The UAE is expanding its support for global innovators, with the Zayed Sustainability Prize announcing that all finalists in its 2027 cycle will receive funding. The move follows a similar approach introduced in 2026 and marks a shift in the Prize’s role, from recognising achievements to actively supporting solutions as they scale. Under the initiative, organisational finalists will receive $100,000 each, while student teams under the Global High Schools category will receive $25,000. Organisers said reaching the finalist stage is now “the true beginning of scaling impact,” with funding aimed at helping projects deliver measurable benefits in their communities. In the latest cycle, 33 finalists were selected across categories including Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. While a smaller group was named winners, 22 additional projects also received funding to help expand their work. Hassan Arafat, Senior Director of the Research and Innovation Centre for Graphene and 2D Materials at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of sustained support. “Beyond recognising innovators, the Prize builds meaningful partnerships with them, providing the support needed to scale their impact and strengthen community resilience,” he said. “Over the years, we have witnessed how continued support—through funding, visibility, and global reach—can drive real, transformative change.” The Prize continues to demonstrate real-world impact. In South Korea, a company developed a system producing disease-free potato seeds, now delivering more than 10 million seeds annually and benefiting millions of people. In Lebanon, public school students created a solar-powered water purification system enhanced by artificial intelligence, which has since been tested in real-world conditions. The latest cycle attracted 7,761 submissions from 173 countries, reflecting growing global engagement. Applications included innovations in AI-powered healthcare, food systems, climate adaptation, and clean energy. Since its launch, the Prize has improved the lives of more than 411 million people worldwide through 139 winners. Its “Beyond 2020” initiative has also supported communities in 19 countries. Applications for the 2027 cycle are now open to small and medium enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools. Applications can be filed here. The deadline is June 22, with winners set to be announced in Abu Dhabi in January 2027. ICA/Expat Media
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