The Global Schools Prize 2026 – A Landmark US $1 Million Award Transforming Education Worldwide

Discover the Global Schools Prize 2026— a US $1M award recognizing progressive faculties worldwide. Learn about classes, eligibility, prizes, deadlines, and the right way to apply.

Overview

The Global Schools Prize is a groundbreaking US $1 million training award created to acknowledge and rejoice the world’s most distinctive and progressive faculties. Launched in 2025 by famend UAE training pioneer and philanthropist Sunny Varkey, the prize honors establishments which can be redefining what is feasible in training—remodeling educating, studying, and scholar outcomes for the long run.

The Global Schools Prize completes Sunny Varkey’s visionary trilogy of awards, becoming a member of the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize, creating a strong ecosystem that celebrates educators, learners, and now the colleges driving systemic change.

Prize Structure & Awards

The Global Schools Prize will acknowledge:

• 10 Category Winners – Each awarded US $50,000

• 1 Global Winner – The faculty chosen as “Global Schools Prize Winner” will obtain US $500,000 to scale its influence

All longlisted faculties will obtain:

• The Global Schools Prize Badge, recognizing world-class excellence

• Access to the Global Schools Network, together with partnerships, skilled improvement, and worldwide collaboration alternatives

Application Timeline (2025–2026)

• Applications Open: September 10, 2025

• Applications Close: November 30, 2025

• Finalists Announced: May 2026

• Winner Announced: May 2026

Apply or nominate a faculty right here:

Why the Global Schools Prize Matters

This new prize elevates faculties as main brokers of world change—establishments that:

• Reimagine studying in a fast-changing world

• Embrace innovation, creativity, digital transformation, and community-centered approaches

• Develop resilient, future-ready learners

• Champion sustainability, fairness, inclusion, and international citizenship

The Global Schools Prize shines a world highlight on faculties whose concepts can encourage others worldwide.

Voices from Global Education Leaders

Stefania Giannini

Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO & Co-Chair of the Global Schools Prize Council

“The Global Schools Prize celebrates the ideas and innovations that are transforming education. By sharing these breakthroughs globally, the prize reminds us that the power of education lies in creativity and collaboration.”

Olivier Brechard

Director of International Relations, Learning Planet Institute

“We are proud to support the Global Schools Prize. Its focus on global citizenship and peace-building aligns perfectly with our mission to co-design solutions with young people for a more peaceful, democratic world.”

Alison Bellwood

Director, World’s Largest Lesson

“We aim to inspire schools everywhere to be ambitious about sustainability. The Prize highlights schools making sustainability part of everyday life across learning, facilities, and community action.”

Dame Christine Ryan

Former Chair of Ofsted Board

“Schools shape societies. This prize celebrates schools leading with courage and innovation—and encourages global collaboration to share ideas that drive progress.”

Sunny Varkey

Founder, Varkey Foundation

“The Global Schools Prize is more than an award—it’s a movement to scale the best ideas in education. We want to highlight the many ways schools are driving change, from innovation to student wellbeing.”

Eligibility

The Global Schools Prize is open to:

• All authorities and privately funded faculties worldwide

• Schools serving college students as much as age 18

• Institutions legally acknowledged below native legal guidelines

• Schools demonstrating excellence and innovation in training

Not eligible:

• Pre-schools or nurseries

• Colleges or universities

All candidates should meet moral requirements, safeguarding necessities, and native authorized compliance.

Categories for the 2026 Global Schools Prize

Schools could apply to a number of classes. Winners shall be chosen utilizing rigorous standards.

Award Categories

1. AI Transformation

2. Arts, Culture & Creativity

3. Character & Values-Driven Education

4. Global Citizenship & Peacebuilding

5. Health & Wellbeing

6. Overcoming Adversity

7. SEND/Inclusive Education

8. STEM Education

9. Sustainability

10. Teacher Development

Full eligibility and standards:

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How to Apply

• Submit an application kind through the Global Schools Prize Platform.

• Schools could apply or be nominated.

• Applications should be accomplished by November 30, 2025.

• Entrants will endure a multi-stage choice course of together with on-line judging, interviews, and potential faculty visits.

Selection Process

1. Online Judges evaluate all submissions and create a longlist.

2. Prize Council selects 10 class winners from interviews and evaluations.

3. The Global Schools Prize Academy votes to decide on the worldwide winner.

4. All processes are monitored by MediaSense and PwC to make sure transparency.

Post-Selection Requirements

Winners should:

• Use prize funds just for charitable, instructional functions aligned with the Varkey Foundation

• Maintain wonderful safeguarding, moral practices, and faculty governance

• Report yearly on the use and influence of prize funds

• Avoid actions that will carry the training sector or Varkey Foundation into disrepute

Prize funds should be deposited right into a verified faculty checking account with a number of signatories.

Terms & Conditions

The Global Schools Prize Terms and Conditions define:

• Eligibility necessities

• Responsible use of prize cash

• Safeguarding guidelines

• Compliance and reporting obligations

• Grounds for disqualification or reimbursement

• Intellectual property rights

• Legal jurisdiction (England and Wales governs)

Full Terms and Conditions are included within the prize documentation right here

Why Schools Should Apply

The Global Schools Prize gives:

• Prestige — worldwide recognition on a world stage

• Funding — as much as $500,000 for scaling improvements

• Community — entry to international collaborations with main faculties

• Visibility — media and sector-wide acknowledgment

• Impact — means to scale concepts that may remodel training all over the place

This is an unprecedented alternative for faculties shaping the way forward for studying.

Call to Action

Applications are open from September 10 to November 30, 2025.
Nominate or apply as we speak to highlight your faculty’s innovation on the world stage.

👉 Apply or Nominate Here

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