Global Schools Prize 2027
The Global Schools Prize is a $1 million award from the Varkey Foundation for schools that go beyond the basics. One school wins $500,000 to scale its impact, and ten category winners each receive $50,000.
- Funding$500,000 for the overall winner; $50,000 for each of ten…
- DurationApplications to 16 December 2026; top 50 announced March 2027…
- Who can applyWorldwide
- Application feeFree
Overview
Applications and nominations for the 2027 prize opened on 16 September 2026. The deadline is 16 December 2026. This is the second edition of the prize.
What Will You Do?
Your school chooses one or more of the ten categories and explains how it goes above and beyond. Entries are judged against detailed criteria set out on each category page.
- AI transformation
- Arts and culture
- Character and values
- Global citizenship
- Health and wellbeing
- Overcoming adversity
- SEND and inclusive education
- STEM education
- Sustainability
- Teacher development
A school can enter several categories in the same year. That gives smaller schools with one standout programme a fair chance, because each category winner receives $50,000 even if it is not chosen as the overall winner.
The 2027 timeline runs as follows. Applications and nominations close on 16 December 2026. The top 50 finalists are announced in March 2027. The overall winner is announced in May 2027.
Tips for a strong Global Schools Prize entry
Pick the categories where you have the clearest evidence. Judges want results they can see, so show numbers, stories and changes over time rather than general claims about your school’s values.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- International competition for schools
- Host organization(s)
- Varkey Foundation
- Location
- Global (schools in any country)
- Mode
- Online application
- Programme duration
- Applications to 16 December 2026; top 50 announced March 2027; winner announced May 2027
Funding
- Financial support
- $500,000 for the overall winner; $50,000 for each of ten category winners; longlisted schools get a badge and network access
- Application fee
- Free
Eligibility
- Nationality
- Worldwide
- Age requirement
- Not applicable to individuals; schools must teach students of compulsory school age (about 4 to 18)
- Minimum degree required
- Not applicable (entries are made by schools)
- Work experience
- Not applicable
- Fields / areas
- AI transformation, arts and culture, character and values, global citizenship, health and wellbeing, overcoming adversity, SEND and inclusive education, STEM, sustainability, teacher development
Who can apply
- School type: Government-run and privately funded schools teaching students of compulsory school age, roughly 4 to 18. State, fee-paying, faith, special and selective schools are all eligible.
- Not eligible: Pre-schools, nurseries, colleges and universities.
- Countries: Any country, subject to local laws and to laws in England and Wales that stop the foundation sending funds to certain countries.
- Standing: Schools must not be legally barred from taking part or insolvent. Schools that have brought the profession or the foundation into disrepute, for example through serious safeguarding incidents, can be excluded.
- Nominations: Schools can apply directly or be nominated by others.
What you get
The Varkey Foundation already runs the Global Teacher Prize. The Global Schools Prize does something similar for whole schools. It looks for schools that deliver quality education in ways others can learn from.
The foundation selects a longlist, then a top 50 in March 2027. Ten category winners each receive $50,000. One of those category winners is named the overall winner in May 2027 and receives $500,000. Prize money must be used for purposes that support the foundation’s charitable aims, under its grant terms.
Longlisted schools also receive a Global Schools Prize Badge and join the Global Schools Network.
- $500,000 for the overall Global Schools Prize winner.
- $50,000 for each of the ten category winners.
- A Global Schools Prize Badge for longlisted schools.
- Membership of the Global Schools Network.
How to apply
- Read the eligibility and category pages on the Global Teacher Prize website.
- Choose the categories that fit your school’s strongest work.
- Gather evidence such as outcomes data, examples and testimonials.
- Register on the Varkey Foundation awards platform and complete the entry before 16 December 2026.
Full details are on the official Global Schools Prize page.
Frequently asked questions
What funding does the Global Schools Prize 2027 provide?
Who can apply?
Education: Not applicable (entries are made by schools)
Work experience: Not applicable
Age: Not applicable to individuals; schools must teach students of compulsory school age (about 4 to 18)
Is there an application fee?
When is the deadline?
How do I apply?
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