Zayed Sustainability Prize Announces 2027 Finalists
- The Zayed Sustainability Prize has named its 2027 finalists following a record-breaking application cycle that saw 10,233 submissions from 177 countries.
- This latest cycle represents a 32% increase in submissions year-on-year, according to the Prize organizers.
- For the 2027 cycle, the Prize has expanded its financial commitment to ensure every finalist receives funding regardless of whether they win their category.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize has named its 2027 finalists following a record-breaking application cycle that saw 10,233 submissions from 177 countries. The finalists are developing scalable solutions in health, food, energy, water, and climate action, with winners to be announced on January 12, 2027, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
This latest cycle represents a 32% increase in submissions year-on-year, according to the Prize organizers. The award aims to identify practical innovations that strengthen community resilience and expand access to essential services. Since its inception in 2008, the Prize has supported 139 winners and impacted more than 411 million lives globally, as reported by zayedsustainabilityprize.com.
For the 2027 cycle, the Prize has expanded its financial commitment to ensure every finalist receives funding regardless of whether they win their category. Organizational finalists in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories will each receive US $100,000. Global High Schools finalists will receive US $25,000 each.
Those who eventually win their respective categories will receive a larger award: US $1 million for organizational winners and US $150,000 for Global High Schools winners.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, stated that the finalists’ work shows the most powerful solutions are those rooted in real-world needs.
H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, noted that the 2027 finalists demonstrate the value of innovation in equipping communities to manage a complex world through a combination of technology, local knowledge, and determination.
Healthcare Innovations Using AI and Robotics
The Health category finalists are focusing on early diagnosis and expanded medical access. Elythea, a U.S.-based SME, utilizes artificial intelligence to predict pregnancy complications from first-trimester data six to eight months in advance. The company has reached over 63,000 direct beneficiaries and reduced adverse maternal outcomes in a trial spanning five countries.
Other finalists include GOAL 3 from the Netherlands, which uses tablet-based records and bedside vital-sign monitoring to detect deterioration in newborns and children. This system has reached 157,000 beneficiaries across 48 hospitals. Spain's Marsi Bionics has also deployed a paediatric exoskeleton with smart robotic joints, providing walking assistance to more than 3,000 children through 67 devices.
Agricultural Technology and Soil Restoration
In the Food category, finalists are implementing regenerative practices to increase crop yields and combat environmental stress. Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies, a U.S. SME, employs microbial biotechnology that combines beneficial soil bacteria and fungal endophytes.
This technology helps crops tolerate nutrient stress, salinity, heat, and drought. According to the Prize, the solution has treated more than 13 million acres and increased agricultural yields by 30% to 200%.
Sustainability Impact and Award Timeline
The 2027 cycle follows a rigorous evaluation process by the Prize Jury to select finalists across six distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. The finalists’ projects cover a range of issues including disaster preparedness, ecosystem restoration, and energy access.
The timeline for the current cycle includes the following milestones as listed by zayedsustainabilityprize.com:
- September 2026: Announcement of finalists.
- January 12, 2027: Awards Ceremony during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.