The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially launched the call for nominations and applications for the third edition of the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The prestigious international award recognizes outstanding young scientists whose work contributes to scientific advancement, innovation, education, and international cooperation while helping address global challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Applications and nominations will remain open until 30 November 2026 (midnight UTC+1).
Prize Recognizes Emerging Leaders in STEM
Established to encourage excellence in science and innovation, the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize highlights the achievements of young researchers whose work is driving socio-economic development and creating solutions to global challenges.
The prize also seeks to promote greater participation of women and girls in STEM disciplines, reinforcing UNESCO’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive scientific advancement.
Award organizers emphasize that the initiative aims to inspire future generations of scientists while fostering international collaboration across scientific fields.
Five Laureates to Receive $50,000 Each
The prize is awarded every two years to five exceptional young scientists representing different regions of the world.
The five laureates will be selected from:
- Africa
- Arab States
- Asia and the Pacific
- Europe and North America
- Latin America and the Caribbean
Each winner will receive:
- A cash award of USD 50,000
- A UNESCO medal
- An official diploma
- International recognition for their scientific achievements
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to young scientists who have demonstrated significant contributions in STEM-related fields.
Achievement Criteria
Candidates must have achieved notable accomplishments in one or more of the following areas:
- Scientific research in STEM fields, including emerging technologies
- STEM education and science communication
- Innovation and creativity in science and technology
- International or regional scientific cooperation
Age Requirement
Applicants must be:
- Under 40 years of age on the application deadline date
Gender Equality Focus
UNESCO strongly encourages nominations of young women scientists as part of its ongoing efforts to improve gender representation within STEM professions.
Application Process
Candidates are required to complete an online application and submit supporting documentation through the official UNESCO application platform.
Required application materials include:
- Description of academic and professional background
- Summary of scientific work and achievements
- List of publications and major contributions
- Statement explaining contributions to the objectives of the Prize
Applications must be completed in:
- English, or
- French
Nomination Is Mandatory
A key requirement of the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize is that every application must be supported by an official nomination.
Self-nominations without endorsement from an eligible nominating organization will not be considered.
Who Can Nominate Candidates?
Eligible nominators include:
- Governments of UNESCO Member States
- National Commissions for UNESCO
- UNESCO-affiliated non-governmental organizations
- UNESCO Chairs
- UNESCO Category 2 Institutes and Centres
- International scientific unions
- Universities through authorized leadership representatives such as department heads, deans, or senior administrators
Individual faculty members and university staff are not permitted to submit nominations independently.
Required Nomination Documents
Each nomination must include:
- A written recommendation
- Description of the candidate’s achievements and qualifications
- Summary of research outputs and publications
- Explanation of the candidate’s contribution to the objectives of the Prize
Nominators may submit a maximum of three candidates, with each nomination requiring a separate submission.
Important Submission Guidelines
Applicants and nominators should take note of several important requirements:
- Both the application and nomination must be submitted before 30 November 2026
- Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted
- Supporting documents must be provided in English or French
- Nominators must complete account verification before submitting nominations
- Candidates are encouraged to coordinate with nominators to ensure timely submission
Advancing Global Scientific Innovation
The UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize continues to serve as a major platform for recognizing emerging scientific leaders whose work contributes to sustainable development, technological innovation, and international cooperation.
By celebrating excellence among young researchers across all world regions, the award seeks to strengthen the global STEM ecosystem while encouraging greater participation from women and underrepresented groups in science and technology.
With five international awards worth $50,000 each, the 2026 edition presents a significant opportunity for young scientists to gain global recognition for their contributions to advancing knowledge and addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
