UNESCO Prizes
Education
UNESCO Confucious Prize for Literacy
The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, established in 2005, with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. It gives special consideration to literacy amongst adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth, particularly girls and women.
UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize
Established in 1989, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea. It gives special consideration to the development and use of mother-tongue literacy education and training.
UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
The Prize honours outstanding projects by individuals, institutions and organizations related to ESD. Funded by the Government of Japan, consists of three annual awards of USD 50,000 for each recipient.
UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education
Funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the prize rewards innovative and outstanding projects by individuals, institutions and organizations that are advancing girls’ and women’s education. Laureates receive USD 50,000
UNESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Prize for Outstanding Practice and Performance in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teachers
Created in 2008 to support the improvement of teaching and learning quality in achieving the Education for All goals, which is one of UNESCO’s priorities. Awarded every two years, the Prize is generously supported by H.E. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates.
UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education
The purpose of the prize is to reward projects and activities of individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations for excellent models, best practice and creative use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance learning, teaching and overall education performance.
UNESCO/Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Deadline: 2 July 2018
The UNESCO/Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (hereafter the Prize) is to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in promoting the inclusion; and enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities through the application of digital solutions, resources and technologies.
UNESCO Learning City Award
The last nomination process is closed.
UNESCO grants this biennial award to cities that have made exceptional progress in the improvement of lifelong learning opportunities for their inhabitants. The objective of this award is to recognize outstanding achievements and good practices in the implementation of the learning city concept.
Cities applying for the award must validate their progress, achievements and experiences related to promoting inclusive learning from basic to higher education; revitalizing learning in families and communities; facilitating effective learning for and in the workplace; extending the use of modern learning technologies: enhancing quality and excellence in education; and fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
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Natural Siences
UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science
The purpose of the Prize is to reward the efforts of a person who has had a distinguished career as a writer, editor, lecturer, radio/television programme director or film producer, which has enabled him/her to help interpret science, research and technology to the public.
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science Award
Created in 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards program identifies and supports eminent women in science throughout the world.
UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation
The purpose is to afford recognition to outstanding contributions in the management or preservation of the environment, consistent with the policies, aims and objectives of UNESCO, i.e. environmental and natural resources research, environmental education and training, creation of environmental awareness through the preparation of environmental information materials and activities aimed at establishing and managing protected areas such as biosphere reserves and natural World Heritage sites.
UNESCO MAB Young Scientists Awards
Since 1989 MAB has been providing 10 young researchers each year with awards of up to US$ 5,000 in support of their research on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity. Through the MAB Young Scientists Awards, MAB is investing in a new generation of scientists worldwide because we think well-trained and committed young people are key to addressing ecological and sustainability issues.
Carlos J. Finlay UNESCO Prize for Microbiology
Rewards the efforts of an individual, or of an institution, non-governmental organization or other entity which, through research and development, has made an outstanding contribution to the field of microbiology and its applications. In so doing, the Government of Cuba and UNESCO aim to encourage research and development of Microbiology.
Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management
Call for nominations: Closed
This prize is awarded each year in memory of Dr Michel Batisse for excellence in the management of the biosphere reserves in line with the recommendations of the Seville Strategy.
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COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2015
Call for nominations: Closed on 15 February 2017
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, created in 1997, each year honours a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, and especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.
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UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize
Call for nominations: Closed
In April 2004 UNESCO’s Executive Board approved the establishment of the UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize as a means of promoting the Memory of the World Programme and commemorating the inscription of the Jikji, or the "Buljo jikji simche yojeol”, the oldest existing book made through movable metal print.
The Prize consists of a biennial award of US$ 30,000 to individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage.
CULTURE
UNESCO Creative Cities Network
2017 nominations closed
Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to strengthen cooperation with and among cities that have recognized creativity as a strategic factor of sustainable development as regards economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects.
By joining the Network, cities acknowledge their commitment to sharing best practices, developing partnerships that promote creativity and the cultural industries, strengthening participation in cultural life and integr
ating culture in urban development plans.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts,
and Music
Si su ciudad desea unirse a esta Red en expansión, consulte los documentos a continuación y descubra lo que representa e implica convertirse en una Ciudad Creativa de la UNESCO. http://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/content/convocatoria-de-candidaturasFurther information
Contact: creativecities(at)unesco.org
World Book Capital 2018
Call for nominations: Closed
Based on the positive experience of World Book and Copyright Day, launched in 1996, UNESCO initiated the concept of World Book Capital City and nominated Madrid as the Capital for Year 2001. Following this successful experience, the General Conference adopted, on 2 November 2001, the 31 C/Resolution 29, establishing the yearly nomination of the Book Capital City.
The International Publishers Associations (IPA-UIE), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) are associated to this initiative and are therefore represented with UNESCO in the nominating committee, so as to guarantee appropriate representation from the international organizations representing the three major sectors of the book industry.
An agreement was concluded among the partners that, after Madrid (2001), the subsequent capitals would be Alexandria in 2002 and New Delhi in 2003. Then, following public calls for candidatures, the Selection Committee gathered at UNESCO Headquarters and successively nominated the city of Antwerp (Belgium) for 2004, Montreal (Canada) for 2005, Turin (Italy) for 2006, Bogota (Colombia) for 2007, Amsterdam (the Netherlands) for 2008, Beirut (Lebanon) for 2009, Ljubljana (Slovenia) for 2010, Buenos Aires (Argentina) for 2011, Yerevan (Armenia) for 2012, Bangkok (Thailand) for 2013, Port Harcourt (Nigeria) for 2014, Incheon (Republic of Korea) for 2015 and Wroclaw (Poland) for 2016.
Finally, the Selection Committee retained the candidature of the city of Conakry (Republic of Guinea) as World Book Capital City 2017 on account of the quality of its programme.
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The nomination does not imply any financial prize, but an exclusively symbolic acknowledgement of the best programme dedicated to books and reading.
The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture
Call for nominations: Closed
Established in 1998, the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture rewards, each two years, two laureates – individuals, groups or institutions – who, through their work and outstanding achievements, endeavour to disseminate greater knowledge of Arab art and culture.
The winners are chosen by the Director-General of UNESCO, on the recommendation of an international Jury of experts in the field of Arab Culture and having distinguished themselves, over several years, by meritorious actions. Thus, the winners contribute to the promotion of cultural dialogue and the revitalization of Arab culture.
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Melina Mercouri International Prize for the Safeguarding and Management of Cultural Landscapes (UNESCO-Greece)
Call for nominations: Closed
The purpose of the Melina Mercouri International Prize (UNESCO-Greece) is to reward outstanding examples of action to safeguard and enhance the world's major cultural landscapes.
It is to bear the name of Melina Mercouri, a precursor of integrated conservation and sustainable development, a memorable actress and Minister of Culture of Greece. It meets a new need, clearly identified by the World Heritage Committee, which, at its sixteenth session, held in Santa Fe in December 1992, recognized that the protection of cultural landscapes, a richer concept than the conventional one of 'monuments' or 'sites', is one of the main priorities of the present time.
Design 21. International competition for young designers
Call for nominations: Closed
The DESIGN 21 International Competition was launched in 1995 by UNESCO and the Felissimo Corporation (Japan) for the purpose of discovering and promoting young talent from all corners of the world, while encouraging a spirit of understanding and sharing among young creators from different cultures. Numerous designers from all regions of the world have already been awarded prizes in the first four competitions and their works promoted internationally through exhibitions and fashion shows.
SOCIAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES
UNESCO/Juan Bosch Prize for the Promotion of Social Science Research in Latin America and the Caribbean
Deadline: Closed
The Prize was instituted by the Executive Board of UNESCO, at the initiative of the Government of the Dominican Republic, in connection with the commemoration of the centenary of Professor Bosch’s birth in 2009. In creating the Prize, the Member States on the Executive Board recognized the remarkable contribution of Professor Juan Bosch to the study of social and political processes in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region.
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Avicenna Prize for Ethics in Science
Call for nominations: Closed
Established in 2003 by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 166th session on the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this Prize, awarded every two years, is intended to reward the activities of individuals and groups in the field of ethics in science.
UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence
Call for nominations: Closed
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.
The Prize was established in 1995 on the occasion of the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
UNESCO-UNAM / Jaime Torres Bodet Prize in social sciences, humanities and arts
Call for nominations: Closed
The creation of the Prize was approved on 27 October 2014 by the 195th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO. Awarded every two years, the Prize is intended to reward the efforts of a person, group of people or international institution that has contributed to the development of knowledge and society through art, teaching and research in social sciences and humanities.
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International UNESCO/José Martí Prize
Call for nominations: Closed
The purpose of the International UNESCO/José Martí Prize is to promote and reward an activity of outstanding merit in accordance with the ideals and spirit of José Martí.
By embodying a nation’s aspiration to sovereignty and its struggle for liberty, this activity has contributed, in any region of the world, to the unity and integration of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and to the preservation of their identities, cultural traditions and historical values.
The International UNESCO/José Martí Prize was instituted in November 1994 by the Executive Board at the initiative of the Government of Cuba. In creating the Prize, the Members of the Executive Board recognized the universality and supreme value of the ideals of José Martí, the apostle of liberty.
