Applications Open for the Global Teacher Prize 2027: US $1 Million Grand Prize

Who Can Apply?

For the new competition cycle, the range of eligible applicants has been expanded. Applications are open not only to teachers working directly in school classrooms, but also to:

• teachers in public and private schools;
• Early Years educators;
• educators working in non-formal education;
• digital educators (Digital Educators) who systematically teach children online;
• leaders of education programmes (Leaders of Education Programmes) who are directly involved in designing and organising learning for children;
• educators working part-time, on a contractual basis, or independently.

One of the key requirements is to have at least five years of teaching experience and to be directly involved in educating children and young people aged 4–18.

In Which Language Can the Application Be Completed?

The application does not have to be completed in English.

The Global Teacher Prize accepts applications in several languages, including Russian.

One of the first questions in the official application form is: “In which language are you completing this form?”

This means that educators from Kazakhstan may prepare and submit their applications in Russian.

What Do You Need to Write in the Application?

Astana Bilim Academy has reviewed the official PDF version of the Global Teacher Prize application form, which is available to registered users on the competition platform.

We are also making this PDF available for preliminary review so that educators can see all the questions they will need to answer, assess the scope of the application, and begin preparing their responses in advance.

The main part of the application includes the following sections.

1. The Applicant’s Story and Teaching Context (Your Story and Your Setting) — up to 500 words

Applicants need to explain why they deserve to win the Global Teacher Prize.

They are invited to describe:

• where and whom they teach;
• why they chose the teaching profession;
• the professional challenges they have faced;
• the innovations they have introduced;
• the results they have achieved;
• the impact they have had on learners and the wider community.

At the end, applicants are asked to identify one key achievement that best demonstrates their contribution to the teaching profession.

2. Context and Challenges (Context and Challenges) — up to 300 words

Applicants should describe the context in which they work and the particular challenges faced by their learners.

These may include educational, social, family-related, health-related, or other circumstances that affect learning.

3. Teaching Approach (Your Teaching Approach) — up to 300 words

Applicants should describe their approach to teaching.

If they use established and proven models of practice, they should explain why these approaches are effective and whether they can be replicated in other educational contexts.

If an educator has developed their own methodology or programme, they should clearly demonstrate their personal role in designing, developing, and implementing it.

4. Innovation (Innovation) — up to 300 words

This section asks applicants to present creative, unusual, or innovative teaching practices that have helped improve their students’ education or address particular challenges.

Examples may include the use of technology, redesigning approaches to teaching the curriculum, collaboration with other organisations, developing students’ soft skills, and other initiatives.

5. Learning Outcomes (Classroom Achievement) — up to 300 words

One of the most important sections of the application focuses on measurable outcomes of the applicant’s teaching.

The organisers suggest evidence such as:

• examination and assessment results over a sustained period;
• data demonstrating learners’ progress;
• testimonials from students, parents, or educators confirming specific learning outcomes;
• formal recognition by an educational institution or professional body;
• for digital educators, assessment results, course completion rates, and learner feedback.

Applicants are encouraged to support their statements with concrete examples and documentation.

6. Community Impact (Above and Beyond — Community Impact) — up to 300 words

Applicants should explain what they do beyond their usual professional responsibilities to provide learners with additional educational opportunities.

Activities beyond the school are also considered, including volunteering, community projects, seminars, local initiatives, and other forms of professional and social engagement.

7. Developing Global Citizens (Developing Global Citizens) — up to 300 words

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how their teaching prepares learners to live and work in a world where they will interact with people of different nationalities, cultures, faiths, and worldviews.

They should provide concrete examples of how they develop global citizenship, responsibility, life and professional skills, as well as the ability to engage constructively with differences and resolve conflicts.

8. Contribution to the Teaching Profession (Improving the Teaching Profession) — up to 300 words

This section focuses on the applicant’s influence on other educators and on the teaching profession as a whole.

Applicants may describe activities such as:

• mentoring;
• teacher education and professional development;
• sharing effective practices;
• presenting at conferences;
• publishing articles or other materials;
• participating in professional communities;
• contributing to public discussions on education.

Applicants should also demonstrate how they continue their own professional learning and encourage a culture of lifelong learning among colleagues and students.

9. Climate Change Education (Climate Change Education) — up to 300 words

This question is optional.

Applicants may describe how they integrate climate change, environmental issues, and sustainable development into teaching, as well as any actions their students have taken as a result of this work.

10. Use of the Prize Funds (Use of the Prize Funds) — up to 300 words

If the applicant wins US $1 million, how do they plan to use the funds?

Applicants are asked to describe both their short-term plans and their plans for the next 10 years, including educational, school-based, or community projects.

They should also explain how they intend to continue working in education with children and young people after receiving the Prize, including their intention to remain in educational work for at least five years.

What Documents Need to Be Prepared?

To support the application, candidates must provide a letter of recommendation (Reference Letter) from their current or recent school or educational institution where they have worked within the past two years.

The recommendation letter should include:

• the applicant’s full name;
• job title;
• school or institution name;
• subject(s) taught;
• length of employment;
• information about the referee and their professional relationship to the applicant;
• a statement endorsing the applicant as an educator or as a candidate for the Global Teacher Prize.

The application also allows candidates to provide:

• a CV / résumé;
• evidence of official or public recognition of achievements;
• additional documents and photographs;
• links to videos.

There are also restrictions on supporting materials: applicants may upload a maximum of five files, supporting documents should generally be limited to two pages each, and the maximum file size is 5 MB. Supporting documents may be submitted in their original language.

Important: Use of Artificial Intelligence

The official Global Teacher Prize application form specifically states that all applications will be checked for AI-generated content.

The organisers warn that the use of such content could lead to disqualification from the competition.

Applicants should therefore base their responses on their genuine professional experience, real results, and their own original writing.

Educators from Kazakhstan Have Already Reached the Top 50

Educators from Kazakhstan have been included among the Top 50 Finalists of the Global Teacher Prize on several occasions.

2021 — Askhat Zhumabekov was named among the Global Teacher Prize Top 50.

2023 — Aigul Ishangaliyeva was named among the Global Teacher Prize Top 50.

2026 — Tatyana Belousova was named among the Global Teacher Prize Top 50.

To date, no educator from Kazakhstan has won the overall Global Teacher Prize.

How Can You Prepare Your Application?

Applications must be submitted through the official Global Teacher Prize online platform.

Before completing the online form, however, it is advisable to review all the questions in advance, gather supporting evidence, and identify concrete examples, results, and data that can be used in each section.
Official source: Global Teacher Prize

https://globalteacherprize.org/ 

Astana Bilim Academy has made the pages of the official Global Teacher Prize 2027 application form available for educators, including all competition questions.

📄 Review the Global Teacher Prize 2027 Application Form

Заявка Global Teacher Prize 2027.pdf