UNESCO is launching the call for nominations for the 2026 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education. Each year, the Prize recognizes two laureates who are making outstanding efforts in favour of girls’ and women’s education. Each laureate will receive an award of US$ 50,000.
Are you driving transformative change for girls’ and women’s education? If the answer is yes, this is your chance to submit your initiative and become a laureate of the prestigious UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.
Today, 133 million girls remain out of school and women still account for almost two-thirds of all adults unable to read. This is despite the significant progress made in recent decades to realize girls’ and women’s right to education.
Gender, combined with other factors such as cultural norms and stereotypes, wealth, ethnicity or location, continues to prevent girls and women everywhere from reaching their full potential.
Gender equality must be at the heart of education plans, budgets and policies to transform education and build more equitable societies.
In practice, this means promoting gender equality in curricula and pedagogies, creating safe, inclusive and transformative learning spaces, supporting collaboration across sectors and generations and investing in the most marginalized.
Who can apply?
Nominations are made by governments of UNESCO Member States or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO. They can nominate up to three individuals, institutions, or organizations making strong, innovative contributions to girls’ and women’s education. Self-nominations are not possible.
Interested candidates are invited to contact their country’s National Commission for UNESCO or Permanent Delegation to UNESCO or an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO or the Prize Secretariat for more information.
What?
Nominations must meet the eligibility and selection criteria set by the Prize. Nominated projects must be established and running for at least two years and show potential to be replicable and scalable.
An independent international jury of five experts will assess nominations on the basis of the project’s potential for impact, innovation and sustainability.
When?
Deadline for submissions is 12 May 2026 (by midnight, GMT +2).
How?
Nominations must be submitted in English or French via an online platform, accessible only to National Commissions for UNESCO, Permanent Delegations to UNESCO and NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO.
Based on the recommendations of the Jury, the Director-General of UNESCO will announce the 2026 laureates. The award ceremony will be held on 9 October 2026 as part of the International Day of the Girl celebrations.
Additional links:
- UNESCO
- If you have any questions, please contact us at GWEPrize@unesco.org
- UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education
- More about the work of our inspiring laureates
- More UN Awards