The Zayed Sustainability Prize has revealed the list of shortlisted projects, companies, and educational institutions for the 2027 cycle, following the most competitive cycle in the prize's history with 10,233 submissions received from 177 countries, representing a 32% growth rate compared to the previous year.
Prize Categories and Finalist Support
The prize covers six main categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. To enhance the impact of advanced solutions, the prize ensures that all finalists receive financial support, as shortlisted institutions in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories receive $100,000 USD each, while high schools receive $25,000. Meanwhile, the main winners receive larger prizes worth $1 million for institutions and $150,000 for schools.
Notable Finalists in Technical and Advanced Sectors
The list of finalists includes innovative solutions combining artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced robotics to address urgent challenges:
- Health Category: Includes startups such as Elythea from the United States, which uses artificial intelligence to predict pregnancy complications months in advance; GOAL 3 from the Netherlands for medical monitoring systems; and Marsi Bionics from Spain for robotic exoskeletons for children.
- Food and Energy Category: Features companies such as Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies for agricultural biotechnology; Flint from Singapore for developing cellulose-based batteries with zinc and magnesium electrodes; alongside decentralized energy solutions in Nigeria and India.
- Water and Climate Action Category: Highlights companies such as Solinas from India, which uses AI-equipped crawler robots to inspect and clean sewage lines; and AI-supported coral reef rehabilitation organizations in French Polynesia.
Next Milestone and Winners Announcement
The winners of the cycle are scheduled to be officially announced during the Zayed Sustainability Prize awards ceremony on January 12, 2027, coinciding with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week events. To date, the prize has contributed to positively impacting the lives of over 411 million people worldwide.