Call for Applications: $1 Million Education Prize by WISE

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The Qatar Foundation's World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) has announced the opening of applications for its 2026-2027 Education Prize. This initiative is focused on funding innovative educational solutions that tackle significant global challenges, providing mentorship and technical assistance to the grantees.

In this new cycle, WISE will choose a set of finalists through a thorough evaluation process. Each finalist stands to receive development funding between USD 100,000 and USD 125,000, alongside a 12-month mentorship and support program aimed at enhancing their project's scale and long-term effectiveness.

The competition will culminate at the WISE 13 Summit, which is set to be held in Doha in 2027. An international jury will give out prizes amounting to USD 1 million, recognizing education solutions that significantly improve learning outcomes.

The 2026-2027 cycle will emphasize critical education issues, such as enhancing access to education in disadvantaged communities, encouraging the responsible use of AI in learning, building foundational literacy and numeracy skills, and promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of students.

Dr. Asyia Kazmi, CEO of WISE, highlighted that the program aims to empower organizations to transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions that can create meaningful educational reforms worldwide.

Aurelio Amaral, WISE's Director of Innovation, mentioned that the program primarily targets established institutions with viable pilot projects. He noted that the technical assistance provided will support participants in developing sustainable growth strategies that can be customized for various regions and cultures.

The evaluation of submitted proposals will involve several stages, including eligibility checks, expert assessments, and an “innovation race” to assess adaptability to real-world educational challenges before moving to the final development stage in 2027.

Since its inception in 2009, the WISE Prize for Education has acknowledged over 100 innovative projects and prominent individuals internationally. The initiative has grown into a significant global platform advocating for evidence-based educational solutions with far-reaching impacts.