Introduction

If you’re an early-career scientist in Africa or Asia working on a STEM project with strong local or regional relevance, the UNESCO–Al Fozan Prize could be a major springboard: recognition, networking, and a substantial cash award (US$50,000 to each laureate) to scale work that makes measurable social impact. Beyond the money, the Prize is a badge of credibility that opens doors to collaborations, funding, and visibility. But winning requires more than good science — it requires a strategic application, a compelling project showcase, and the ability to communicate impact across cultural and disciplinary lines.

This guide walks you through the Prize’s purpose and structure, the eligibility and nomination process, how to craft a project showcase (the part that often decides winners), common mistakes to avoid, sample templates for statements and abstracts, and an actionable timeline that helps you plan an effective submission. Wherever appropriate, I point the reader in Africa and Asia to concrete pathways for strengthening an application.

What is the UNESCO–Al Fozan International Prize?

Established in partnership between UNESCO and the Al Fozan Foundation (Saudi Arabia), the Prize aims to promote research and innovation among young scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It rewards young researchers who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to research, STEM education, innovation and international cooperation — particularly in ways that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Prize is awarded to five laureates, one from each of UNESCO’s five geographic regions (Africa; Arab States; Asia and the Pacific; Europe and North America; Latin America and the Caribbean). Each laureate receives US$50,000, a diploma and a medal.

Key facts at a glance:

• Award: US$50,000 per laureate (five laureates total per cycle).

• Eligibility focus: Young scientists under 40 at the application deadline.

• Frequency: Biennial (every two years), with ceremonies and announcements typically held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Why this Prize matters for Africa & Asia

The Prize is more than a monetary award; it is purpose-built to raise the profile of scientists from regions that are often under-represented in global R&D funding. For researchers in Africa and Asia, the Prize offers:

• Visibility & credibility — A UNESCO award signals international recognition that helps when approaching funders, institutions, and policymakers.

• Scaling potential — The cash prize can fast-track field pilots, prototype development, community outreach or small lab upgrades.

• Network access — Laureates are invited to events and gain pathways into UNESCO and alliance networks that facilitate partnerships.

• Gender and youth emphasis — The Prize encourages nominations of young women scientists and supports gender balance in STEM leadership.

Eligibility & Nomination — the essential criteria

Understanding who can be considered and how candidates are nominated clarifies where to invest energy.

Eligibility highlights

• Candidates must be under 40 years old at the time of the application deadline.

• The Prize considers achievements in research, STEM education/outreach, innovation, and regional or international cooperation related to STEM.

• Geographic representation: five laureates are chosen across UNESCO regions (so Africa and Asia each have a dedicated laureateship opportunity).

Who can nominate?

• Nominations are typically submitted by UNESCO Member States, intergovernmental organizations, higher-education institutions, research centres, scientific societies, or other qualified entities identified in the Prize documentation. Individual self-nomination is not usually allowed unless the Prize rules explicitly permit it for a particular edition — check the official call. The UNESCO nomination page outlines exact nominating bodies and procedural details.

Important procedural note: For the 2025 edition the official application/nomination deadline was listed (the public call for the second edition showed a deadline of 15 April 2025). Double-check the official Prize site for updates and local nomination windows; national bodies sometimes set earlier internal deadlines for their nominations.

Tip: If you’re based at a university or NGO, work with your institution’s research office or awards committee early — they often manage nomination logistics and can add institutional endorsements that strengthen a case.

The nomination/application process — step by step

Each edition’s exact mechanics may vary slightly, but the process generally follows this pattern:

1. Call & guidelines published — UNESCO posts the call, eligibility rules, required documents, and deadline. (Bookmark the Prize page and subscribe to updates.)

2. Institutional nomination — Eligible institutions prepare nomination packages for candidates (CV, nomination letter, project summary, evidence of impact, publications, letters of support).

3. Submission to UNESCO Secretariat — Nominating bodies upload documents to UNESCO’s submission portal or submit per the call instructions.

4. Technical review — A UNESCO committee screens nominations for eligibility and completeness.

5. Jury evaluation — An international jury of experts evaluates shortlisted candidates based on scientific merit, innovation, societal impact, dissemination or education efforts, and potential for scaling.

6. Selection & announcement — Laureates are selected and publicly announced; award ceremonies follow, usually at UNESCO Headquarters.

Because the Prize selects winners by region, a strong regional case is essential: demonstrate how your work addresses regional needs and why recognition would accelerate measurable progress in that specific context.

What makes a winning project showcase?

The project showcase is where science meets storytelling. It is not simply about experimental results; it’s about convincing evaluators that your work advances knowledge and produces real, measurable benefits.

Below are the seven components that consistently show up in winning submissions:

1. A clear problem statement tied to the SDGs

   • Start by describing a real problem (e.g., water contamination affecting 50,000 residents) and how it connects to specific SDGs (e.g., SDG 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation). Framing your project within the SDGs helps evaluators immediately see societal relevance.

2. Robust scientific or technical approach

   • Outline your methodology, experimental design or engineering approach concisely. Use plain language to make technical details accessible to a multidisciplinary jury while attaching technical appendices for specialists.

3. Demonstrated outcomes & indicators

   • Provide before-and-after data, pilot metrics, adoption rates or published findings that show measurable impact. Quantitative indicators (e.g., reduction in contaminant levels, % increase in crop yield) are persuasive.

4. Scalability & sustainability plan

   • Explain how the solution can scale beyond a pilot: costs, partnerships, policy integration, training models, and local supply chains.

5. Community engagement & knowledge transfer

   • Show how local communities were involved and how knowledge was shared (workshops, training manuals, open datasets). Community ownership is particularly compelling for judges focused on development impact.

6. Gender & inclusion considerations

   • Describe how the project addresses gender gaps or includes marginalized groups. UNESCO prizes emphasize inclusivity, and showing attention to these issues strengthens applications.

7. Dissemination & policy linkage

   • Provide examples of outreach (publications, policy briefs, workshops with local ministries) and explain how findings influenced (or could influence) local policy.

Comparison table — strong vs weak project showcases