WISE Prize for Education — Entrepreneurship

The WISE Prize for Education is a global program delivered by WISE, the World Innovation Summit for Education, which was founded by Qatar Foundation. It supports legally registered organizations with proven education solutions that can be adapted, tested, or scaled.

For the 2026–27 cycle, applicants proposed a practical minimum viable product aimed at measurable gains in learning or life outcomes. Finalists enter a 12-month development program before presenting at the WISE 13 Summit, where three projects share a separate $1 million prize pool.

Benefits & funding

Every finalist receives USD 100,000–125,000 in development funding for 12 months.
Finalists receive tailored mentorship, one-to-one coaching, bi-monthly check-ins, and in-person workshops.
Participants gain connections to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem and WISE’s global education network.
The top three projects receive USD 500,000, USD 300,000, and USD 200,000 respectively from the USD 1 million prize pool, subject to the terms and conditions.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a legally registered organization working in education; individuals cannot apply.
The organization must have operated for at least two years.
It must have more than one funding source and at least one full-time team member assigned to solution development.
It must provide accessible documented evidence that its work has succeeded.
The proposed solution must address measurable learning or life outcomes and at least one of the cycle’s five priority areas.
Organizations worldwide may apply; no Qatar or MENA location requirement is stated.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

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Application process

1
Review the cycle challenge, mandatory eligibility requirements, and assessment criteria.
2
Prepare one submission for each project and apply through the WISE Prize portal while the call is open.
3
WISE screens and scores applications before selecting semi-finalists.
4
Semi-finalists complete due diligence, an Innovation Sprint, and committee review during a 13-week intensive.
5
Approved finalists complete the 12-month MVP development program and present at the WISE 13 Summit.

Program timeline

Applications opened and prospective-applicant webinars began.
May 10, 2026
Applications closed.
June 27, 2026
Eligibility screening and shortlisting.
June–August 2026
Due diligence, Innovation Sprint, and committee review.
August–November 2026
Finalists scheduled to be announced.
Q4 2026
Finalists complete the MVP development program.
January–December 2027
Final presentations, jury decisions, and awards at the WISE 13 Summit.
Q4 2027