The application is open for the 2026 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education. Individuals, institutions, and organizations that made Outstanding and innovative contributions to advance girls’ and women’s education can apply for this prize and be awarded 50,000 US dollars. It is the first UNESCO Prize of this nature and is unique in showcasing successful projects that improve and promote the educational prospects of girls and women and, in turn, the quality of their lives.

UNESCO calls for nominations for the 2026 Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education champions on International Women’s Day, starting 8 March and ending May 26,  2026. This prize was established in 2015 and Funded by the government of the People’s Republic of China; it has been conferred annually to two laureates and consists of an award of USD 50,000 each to help further their work in the area of girls’ and women’s education.

Prize details:

Awarding period: Annually

Award amount: 50000 US dollars

Number of winners: 2

Deadline for the application: May 26, 2026 (Midnight, Paris Time)

Announcement of winners:  October 2026

Award Ceremony:  ( International Day of the Girl Child)

Language of the application: English/French

Which criteria will you use to select?

The nominations will be assessed based on the project/program’s potential for:

•   Influence

The project/program may bring tangible results relative to the invested resources. This can include distinct changes in beliefs and practices toward gender equality, girls’ educational outcomes or other relevant issues to advance girls’ and women’s education.

•  Creativity

This includes new ways of working and changeful thoughts and actions. The project/program can display innovation in terms of the topics covered, the methodology, the channels used and other aspects.

•  Sustainability

To ensure it will have a lasting impact. This may include efforts to ensure the continuation, institutionalization of project actions and generation of more inspirations.

•  Other criteria

The project/program should already be running for at least 2 years and prove that it may be planned to further resolve a difficulty or improve other situations. It should also supply to one or more of the 5 Priority Action Areas of the Prize.

1. Basic education
2. Ability to read and write
3. Safe Learning Environments
4. Teachers
5. Work

The procedure of Nomination:

Individuals cannot nominate themselves. Nominees may be individuals, institutions or organizations proposed by Non-governmental organizations( NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO and UNESCO Member States, who have been working to promote girls and women’s education. Interested candidates should contact the National Commission for UNESCO of their country or an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO.

Submit your application on the Online platform 

To request access to the online form, you can contact GWEPrize@unesco.org

Similar opportunities: 

• Stockholm Water Prize 2027 for Significant Achievements in Water in Sweden

For more information on the Prize, read the explanatory note here or visit the announcement on the UNESCO website

For further queries, contact: gweprize@unesco.org