The Earth Prize 2026: Join the community and make a difference
This year, The Earth Prize is back – bigger and better than ever. Registrations are officially open this week for the world’s largest environmental solutions competition for young people aged 13–19, and we are once again inviting the next generation of changemakers to take part.
Since launching in 2021, The Earth Prize has empowered nearly 15,000 students in over 160 countries and territories to design and develop solutions to some of the planet’s most pressing problems – from water pollution and wildfires to plastic waste and food insecurity. Every year, students show us that young people are not only ready to take action but also capable of coming up with truly groundbreaking ideas.
Why join the Earth Prize?
The Earth Prize is not only a competition, it’s an incubator for ideas. Every team receives access to mentorship, learning resources, and the chance to win funding to scale up their solutions. Seven Regional Winners are selected each year, each receiving $12,500 to grow their ideas, before a public vote decides the Global Winner.
But more than the prize money, it’s the journey that makes The Earth Prize so special. Here’s what some of our past participants had to say:
“The Earth Prize was not just about winning; it was about learning and growing. The mentorship we received helped us improve our idea and our technical skills. It was amazing to see how much our project evolved over the course of the competition.”
– Reichen Schaller, Winning team 2024 FloodGate
“When my team and I first signed up for The Earth Prize, we had no idea how many opportunities, mentoring, and support it would provide. Personally, this was one of the most enjoyable and fun experiences I’ve ever had… Seeing the next generation participate in such unique and innovative challenges makes me so excited for the future!”
– Amrita Ghag, 16 years old, Finalist team 2024 BioTex
“The process itself of developing the pitch materials and getting feedback from environmental mentors was super helpful. It allowed me to elaborate on and develop the idea further. If you have an idea, just go for it. There’s no need to wait for any adult to give you permission – just do it.”
– Vincent Wu, Finalist team 2024 HiveHealthy
“One way to describe The Earth Prize is unparalleled. The opportunities that you’re going to get from competing in this competition are just going to drive your passion and your project to the next level.”
– Sumedh Kotrannava, 17 years old, Winning team 2024 FloodGate
For many students, the experience is also about hope and empowerment in the face of climate anxiety.
“Environmental anxiety is very real because of how prominent it is in the news… but I do think The Earth Prize is making a difference in the sense that it gives some hope. It gives the possibility of making an impact, because otherwise someone who’s 16 or 17 has no chance of really making much of a change if they aren’t given an opportunity.”
– Rajas Nandas, Finalist team 2024 MycoFlo
What’s new for 2026?
To make the journey even more inspiring and supportive, we’re introducing two exciting updates. First, the Earth Alliance community on Discord, an online messaging hub where students, educators, and sustainability experts can connect, share resources, attend workshops, and support each other’s journeys.
Second, TEPi, a friendly Earth avatar powered by AI, will now guide new participants step by step through the application process. Whether you’re just starting with an idea or already working on a prototype, TEPi will help you find the right resources and keep you on track.
Be part of the change
The Earth Prize has shown year after year that young people are leading the way with innovative, impactful solutions. Whether your idea addresses a challenge in your own community, something you’ve seen on the news, or a global environmental issue, The Earth Prize provides the platform to take it further.
Registrations for The Earth Prize 2026 are open until January 10, 2026, with project submissions closing on January 31, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your ideas into action, connect with a worldwide community, and join the next generation of changemakers.
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