The Iris Prize is an annual award that recognizes the vision and innovation of young leaders who are building a sustainable future, established in memory of Iris Goldsmith. The program offers three categories: the Seed Prize ($5,000, ages 14-24) for groundbreaking ideas, the Stem Prize ($10,000, ages 16-24) for small-scale recently established projects, and the Iris Prize ($15,000, ages 16-24) for established projects with scaling potential. Winners also receive mentorship, capacity-building training, and membership in a peer community. While focused primarily on the Global South, the program supports projects that demonstrate how local action can drive global change.
The Iris Project
The Iris Prize
ClosedScienceSTEMCompetition
About the Program
Eligibility
Projects or organizations must be led by young people aged 14 to 24, with most of the leadership being young people who have project autonomy and decision-making power. Applicants must support the principle of protecting and restoring nature and the rights of those working to defend it. Projects can be fiscally sponsored or associated with larger organizations, charities, or NGOs, but the young leader must retain complete autonomy and decision-making authority. If the applicant is a minor in their country, collaboration with a local organization or NGO as a fiscal sponsor is required to manage the financial grant. The program looks for youth and locally-led initiatives operating in areas identified as significant by their local communities, including new ideas, small-scale projects, or existing initiatives with growth potential and replicability. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is also sought. Applicants must be between 14 and 24 years old.
Eligible Countries
Worldwide🌎 The program prioritizes initiatives in the Global South but also considers exceptional projects from the Global North.
How to Apply
To apply, applicants must complete an eligibility quiz to access the application form. Applications open annually in early March. The application form is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, and submissions are accepted online or offline in any language. The selection process includes shortlisting and interviews in May, expert judging in June, due diligence support in July, winner notification in August, and a virtual awards ceremony in September.