Apply Now: WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities 2025–2026 (US$250,000 Grand Prize)

The World Resources Institute (WRI) invites purposes for the 2025–2026 Ross Center Prize for Cities, one of many world’s most prestigious awards recognizing daring, transformative city initiatives. With a grand prize of US$250,000, the Prize honors tasks which have created inclusive, sustainable city change and considerably improved lives by innovation in design, infrastructure, governance, or public coverage.

Applications are open till May 28, 2025. In addition to the grand prize, 4 different finalist tasks will obtain US$25,000 every and might be featured in international promotional efforts led by WRI.

About the Prize

The Ross Center Prize for Cities celebrates tasks or programmatically linked actions that contribute to transformative city change. These initiatives might vary from bodily infrastructure enhancements and local weather resilience planning to social packages, regulatory reforms, and multi-sector partnerships. All eligible tasks should reveal inclusive approaches and sustainability impacts inside city areas.

The Prize highlights improvements that deal with persistent city challenges—reminiscent of housing, mobility, fairness, public well being, or local weather—and goals to raise options which might be adaptable and scalable throughout cities worldwide.

Prize Breakdown

WRI will choose 5 Finalists following a complete analysis course of. Among them:

• One Grand Prize Winner will obtain US$250,000

• Four Finalists will every obtain US$25,000

• Travel bills for as much as two representatives per finalist mission might be lined to attend the in-person awards ceremony

All 5 Finalist tasks can even profit from international visibility and alternatives for networking and storytelling by WRI’s platforms.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects might be assessed based mostly on three main pillars:

• The Big Idea: How authentic and artistic is the strategy to fixing a essential city situation?

• Life-Changing Impact: What measurable modifications has the initiative made within the lives of metropolis residents?

• Ripple Effects: Has the mission impressed or influenced motion in different communities, establishments, or sectors?

The Prize Jury, composed of worldwide specialists, will make the ultimate number of the Grand Prize Winner. All selections are last and never topic to enchantment.

Who Can Apply?

The competitors is open to all sorts of organizations from around the globe, together with:

Eligibility necessities embrace:

• The mission should have been initiated after January 1, 2000

• Each mission have to be submitted individually

• Projects beforehand acknowledged as Finalists or funded by WRI are not eligible

• Projects involving WRI workers, board members, or jurors are additionally excluded

If any relationship exists between candidates and WRI, a proper ethics evaluation might be carried out.

Applicant Responsibilities

To be thought of, candidates should:

• Submit an entire application through the Prize Portal by 11:59 PM ET on May 28, 2025

• Disclose any current relationships with WRI or its associates

• Accurately establish all contributors to the mission

• Support WRI’s due diligence and promotional actions

• Be keen to take part in communication campaigns and attend the award ceremony

Finalist Expectations

Finalist groups are anticipated to:

• Designate an eligible group to obtain the prize funds

• Submit a signed settlement outlining fund distribution

• Comply with authorized and tax necessities of their home nation and the U.S.

• Maintain good standing—WRI might revoke the award if misconduct arises

Ethics & Data Use

An ethics committee oversees compliance and battle decision. Submissions grant WRI a royalty-free license to make use of submitted supplies for promotional and analysis functions. Prize recognition could also be withdrawn if recipients are later discovered to have engaged in misconduct.

How to Apply

Applications have to be submitted by the WRI Prize Portal earlier than the deadline. Projects should meet the factors outlined above and embrace all required documentation.

APPLY NOW

Deadline: May 28, 2025 11:59 PM, Eastern time
Contact: prizeforcities@wri.org

For extra info, go to the official website
For extra alternatives, go to the Opportunities for Youth web site

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