About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Awards Program. A global award program that identifies outstanding education innovations and provides the funding, mentorship, and development support they need to reach scale.
Every finalist enters a structured 12-month development program — receiving dedicated funding, expert mentorship, and hands-on support to develop their solution. The $1 million prize pool is awarded at the WISE 13 Summit at the close of that development year, not at the point of selection.
Eligibility Requirements
The WISE Prize is open to legally registered organizations working in any field of education. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Eligible Organization Types
Universities, colleges, and academic networks
Schools and school networks
Civil society and community organizations
Government and public agencies
International and intergovernmental agencies
Private-sector companies
Non-profit entities
All Education Sectors Welcome
Pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary
EdTech and digital learning
Vocational training and higher education
Special needs and inclusive education
Informal learning and lifelong learning
Early childhood development
Priority Areas
Applications must address the challenge of delivering significant and measurable improvements in learning and/or life outcomes, and must address at least one of these five priority areas.
Reach to marginalized and underserved learners
Particularly in fragile and crisis-affected contexts where conventional education systems are absent, disrupted, or inequitable.
Effective and responsible use of AI and disruptive technologiesSolutions that harness new technologies in ways that are genuinely effective, contextually grounded, and ethically sound.
Culture and language as a foundation for identity, belonging, and engagement
Solutions that place cultural and linguistic identity at the center of how learning is designed and delivered.
Strengthening core skills: literacy, numeracy, and foundational competencies
Practical approaches that deliver measurable improvements in the skills learners need to access further education and opportunity.
Support to learner wellbeing: mental, emotional, and physical
Solutions that recognize the whole learner and address the conditions — inside and outside the classroom — that affect the ability to learn.
Benefits
Development Funding
$100,000–$125,000 USD to design and refine their solution over 12 months — available to every finalist regardless of final placing.
Tailored Mentorship
1-to-1 coaching, bi-monthly check-ins, and in-person workshops with specialist advisors and fellow finalists.
Qatar Innovation Ecosystem
Facilitated connections to WISE’s local innovation partners in Qatar. These are facilitated introductions, not guaranteed partnerships.
Global Network & Visibility
Access to WISE’s 60,000+ global community — and the stage at WISE 13 Summit to present to a global audience.
Finalist Funding: $100–125K USD
Each finalist receives between $100,000–$125,000 USD to develop their solution into a minimum viable product over 12 months, alongside tailored mentorship and coaching.
Prize Fund: $1,000,000 USD
A $1 million prize pool is split across the top three winners at WISE 13 to support the further scale and evidence-generation of their solutions.
Application Timeline:
Five Stages, Two Years
Year One identifies and selects finalists. Year Two develops and awards them.
May–Jun 2026: Open Call
Jun–Aug 2026: Screening & Shortlisting
Aug–Nov 2026: 3-Month Intensive
Jan–Dec 2027: MVP Development
Q4 2027: WISE 13 Summit
How to apply