Global Schools Prize 2026–2027: An award with a US$1 million prize fund
Applications and nominations for the 2026–2027 Global Schools Prize are expected to open in September 2026. Established by the Varkey Foundation, this international award recognises schools that are transforming education and developing effective solutions for their students and communities. The total prize fund is US$1 million. Under the structure used for the inaugural award cycle, ten category winners each receive US$50,000. One of these schools is then selected as the overall winner and receives an additional US$500,000 to develop and scale its impact.
The Prize Is Not Limited to Private or International Schools
The Global Schools Prize is open to schools from countries around the world. Applications are welcomed from:
- public schools;
- private schools;
- international schools;
- alternative education providers;
- schools operating in challenging social and economic contexts.
IB status, expensive equipment, and international accreditation are not mandatory requirements.
During the evaluation process, the school’s context is taken into account: the problem it is addressing, the changes it has achieved, the evidence supporting its results, and whether its practice can be developed or adapted in other settings.
A school may apply directly or be nominated by another individual or organisation. A nominated school will still need to complete the application process required by the organisers.
Ten Global Schools Prize Categories
Schools should select the category that best reflects their strongest and most clearly evidenced area of practice:
- AI Transformation
- Arts, Culture & Creativity
- Character & Values Education
- Global Citizenship & Peacebuilding
- Health & Wellbeing
- Overcoming Adversity
- SEND & Inclusive Education
- STEM Education
- Sustainability
- Teacher Development
A strong application should describe an established and sustainable school-wide practice rather than a one-off event. Its impact should be demonstrated through both quantitative and qualitative evidence, including student outcomes, changes in key indicators, surveys, interviews, samples of student work, testimonials, documents, and confirmation from partners.
Preliminary Competition Timeline
- September 2026 — applications and nominations open;
- December 2026 — applications and nominations close;
- March 2027 — Top 50 schools announced;
- April 2027 — Top 10 schools announced;
- May 2027 — Global Schools Prize winner announced.
Schools should check the official website for the exact dates and closing time, as the organisers may update the competition schedule and participation requirements.
Astana Bilim Academy Has Prepared a Practical Guide for Schools
To support school leaders and teams preparing to enter the competition, Astana Bilim Academy has developed a comprehensive Russian-language guide entitled “How to Prepare a Strong Global Schools Prize Application.”
The guide includes:
- application requirements;
- a navigator covering all ten categories;
- explanations of the questions included in the official sample forms;
- recommendations for selecting the most suitable category;
- examples of evidence and performance indicators;
- a school readiness assessment matrix;
- guidance on assigning responsibilities within the team;
- an eight-week preparation plan;
- a final application checklist;
- an explanation of the Nominate a School form.
Important: the organisers warn that applications may be checked for AI-generated content. The guide can be used to plan the application, analyse school practices, and collect evidence. However, schools should write their final responses independently and base them on their own verified data and experience.
Useful Links
Official Global Schools Prize page
Download the Astana Bilim Academy guide
