WISE Prize for Education and Global Innovative Solutions 2024

Since 2009, the WISE Awards and WISE Prize for Education have highlighted over 100 global innovative solutions and individuals in education and, throughout the past 15 years, many of them have grown to become more impactful, have contributed to the work of WISE, have scaled to new regions, and more. The legacy of the WISE Awards and WISE Prize for Education stemmed from the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, with the aim to elevate players in the field of education.Now, in 2024, WISE is launching the next generation of the WISE Prize as one sole initiative, identifying a group of finalists to partake in this competition. WISE will identify and provide support through capacity building and mentorship to organizations tackling new challenges ahead.

This iteration of the WISE Prize will work with the chosen finalists over the span of one year to develop solutions that addresses one of the following key education challenges:

• Improving the teaching of Arabic language
  • Develop a solution to improve the effectiveness of teaching, acquisition and use of the Arabic language.
• Accelerating foundational literacies
  • Create a personalized learning tool to accelerate basic literacy and numeracy skills, particularly in under-resourced areas.
• Addressing challenges in A.I.
  • Design a tech-based intervention to equip youth with skills to navigate challenges of increasing presence in an A.I.-driven market and society, such as biases and disinformation.

• Table of Content
• About WISE
• WISE Prize for Education
• Aim and Benefits of WISE Prize for Education
• Requirements for WISE Prize for Education Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for WISE Prize for Education
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About WISE

WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action. WISE has established itself as a global reference in new approaches to education. Through both the biennial Summit and a range of ongoing programs WISE is promoting innovation and building the future of education through collaboration. The thrust for constant innovation has long prevailed in sectors such as technology and healthcare, but education has generally lacked this approach in both policymaking and in the classroom. Moreover education is key to addressing the toughest challenges fa... continue reading

WISE Prize for Education

Aim and Benefits of WISE Prize for Education

It is our aim to raise global awareness of the crucial role of education in all societies, and create a platform for innovative and practical solutions that might help alleviate some of the challenges which education faces around the world.

Benefits:

• Financial support of $100k – $150k USD provided to support the solution development
• Access to tailored mentorship to drive solution development
• Access to capacity-building for team members
• Progress monitoring and support from WISE
• A $1 million USD Prize* awarded at the 2025 WISE Summit
   

Requirements for WISE Prize for Education Qualification

Any type of legally registered organization including colleges, universities, academic networks, schools, civil society, community organizations, governments, international agencies, private-sector companies and non-profit entities working in the field of education are invited to apply. The organization should be in operation for at least 12 months with established programs or products.

Representation from any education sector including pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary, EdTech, vocational training, higher education, special needs education, informal learning, lifelong learning and more, are welcome to apply.

Applications should be for original works and projects, and should be submitted by a representative working within the project. All applicants should therefore guarantee that their organization, or they themselves, originate the project, and should not hold WISE liable for any action or claim from a third party with respect to the project submitted.

APPLICATIONS

• Applications should be for original works and projects, and should be submitted by a representative that will be assigned to work on the solution development. All applicants should therefore guarantee that their organization, or they themselves, originated the project, and should not hold WISE liable for any action or claim from a third party with respect to the project submitted.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS

• Anyone who has submitted a previous application to any previous programs run by WISE can submit a new application for other works.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

• Individuals or organizations that are previous recipients of the WISE Awards/WISE Prize are eligible to apply for the WISE Prize for Education as long as the proposed solution is a new project. The solution should not be under the same project that was previously recognized by WISE.

MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS

• Only one application can be submitted for a single educational activity or project. Individuals may only submit a single application. Other individuals working for the same organization are allowed to submit different applications for different educational activities.

Interview date, Process and Venue for WISE Prize for Education

1. Credentials: Applicants have a record that back their ability to solve the challenge
2. Innovation: Applicants address the education challenge in an evidence-based approach that has not been tested or implemented before.
3. Feasibility: Proposals have a coherent Minimum Viable Product timeline with clear resource allocation and manpower planning.
4. Scalability: Proposed solutions should demonstrate potential to expand and detail sustainable funding over time.
5. Contextualization: Proposed solutions are adaptable to different geographic and social contexts

Applicants should have evidence of the transformative impact on individuals, communities and society in education already achieved from previous ventures, with:

• A strong record of proven success
• Minimum 2 years in operation
• More than one source of funding
• At least one dedicated full-time team member (or full-time equivalent) to drive the solution development
• A clear plan indicating the project’s objectives and development in response to the education challenge it will address
• A scalable solution and ability to replicate in other contexts and regions

 TIMELINE

• The deadline for submission of applications is 15 March 2024, 17:00 GMT
• A shortlist of projects will undergo a due diligence process April – August 2024
• The external committee will review shortlisted applications
• A group of finalists will be revealed October 2024
• Solution development, support and mentorship will run November 2024 – November 2025
• The $1 million USD Prize* will be awarded at the 2025 WISE Summit

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The call for applications opens 12:00 GMT 24 January – 17:00 GMT 15 March, 2024.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

• In order for the application/nomination form to be eligible, your submission must:
• Be entered into the official form on the online system
• Be complete and accurate
• Be submitted in English
• Be submitted online by the official deadline at https://wise-qatar.awardsplatform.com/
• The form must include the contact details of two supporters

For more details visit: WISE website.