Iris Prize 2026 for Young Leaders – YOA

Deadline: April 8, 2026

Applications are open for the Iris Prize 2026 for Young Leaders. The annual award, The Iris Prize, highlights the imaginative and prescient and innovation of younger leaders who’re constructing a sustainable future, usually within the face of extraordinary obstacles. They don’t simply fund concepts – they supply the instruments, assets, and networks younger environmentalists have to scale their influence and encourage change inside their communities. Focused primarily within the Global South, they help tasks that display how native motion can drive international change.

They recognise that nature restoration takes quite a lot of types – from conventional land stewardship to modern technological options. As such, The Iris Prize rewards new concepts and established tasks, hoping to beat the circumstantial limitations that too usually stop younger folks from having the ability to advocate for nature-associated change.

Prizes

• The Seed Prize: $5,000
  • Awarded to a youngster or staff with a groundbreaking thought to guard and/or restore nature of their area people.
• The Stem Prize: $10,000
  • Awarded to an present venture established not too long ago and on a small scale.
• The Iris Prize: $15,000
  • Awarded to a longtime venture with the potential to duplicate and scale.

Eligibility

You ought to solely contemplate making use of if:

• Your venture or organisation is led by younger folks aged 14 to 24. To be eligible for an Iris Prize, most of your management should be younger folks with venture autonomy and resolution-making energy. Do not apply in case you are not inside this age class.
• You help the precept of defending and restoring nature and the rights of these working to defend it.
• They welcome tasks which can be both fiscally sponsored or related to bigger organisations, charities, or NGOs. However, it’s important that the younger individual main the venture retains full autonomy and resolution-making authority.
• They prioritise making certain the protection and nicely-being of our prize members. If you’re below a minor in your nation, please bear in mind that we require collaboration with a neighborhood organisation or NGO to function a fiscal sponsor. This associate organisation will likely be accountable for managing the monetary grant, holding the funds, and offering monetary help to you all through the method.

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Iris Prize.