Deadline: April 8, 2026
Applications are open for the Iris Prize 2026 for Young Leaders. The annual award, The Iris Prize, highlights the vision and innovation of young leaders who are building a sustainable future, often in the face of extraordinary obstacles. They don’t just fund ideas – they provide the tools, resources, and networks young environmentalists need to scale their impact and inspire change within their communities. Focused primarily in the Global South, they support projects that demonstrate how local action can drive global change.
They recognise that nature restoration takes a variety of forms – from traditional land stewardship to innovative technological solutions. As such, The Iris Prize rewards new ideas and established projects, hoping to overcome the circumstantial barriers that too often prevent young people from being able to advocate for nature-related change.
Prizes
- The Seed Prize: $5,000
- Awarded to a young person or team with a groundbreaking idea to protect and/or restore nature in their local community.
- The Stem Prize: $10,000
- Awarded to an existing project established recently and on a small scale.
- The Iris Prize: $15,000
- Awarded to an established project with the potential to replicate and scale.
Eligibility
You should only consider applying if:
- Your project or organisation is led by young people aged 14 to 24. To be eligible for an Iris Prize, most of your leadership must be young people with project autonomy and decision-making power. Do not apply if you are not within this age category.
- You support the principle of protecting and restoring nature and the rights of those working to defend it.
- They welcome projects that are either fiscally sponsored or associated with larger organisations, charities, or NGOs. However, it is essential that the young person leading the project retains complete autonomy and decision-making authority.
- They prioritise ensuring the safety and well-being of our prize participants. If you are under a minor in your country, please be aware that we require collaboration with a local organisation or NGO to serve as a fiscal sponsor. This partner organisation will be responsible for managing the financial grant, holding the funds, and providing financial support to you throughout the process.
Application
For more information, visit Iris Prize.
