Grant opportunity
MDPI Emerging Sustainability Leader Award 2027
The MDPI Sustainability Foundation has opened nominations for the 2027 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, recognising an early-career researcher making outstanding sustainability contributions.
- Funder
- MDPI Sustainability Foundation
- Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026
- Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026: Nov 30, 2026
- Award
- USD 20,000 prize, trophy, and covered travel and accommodation for the World Sustainability Forum 2027 award ceremony
- Applicant
- Early-career researchers, typically within 10 years of completing a PhD, with a strong record in sustainability-related research and impact.
- Discipline
- Environment, Climate and Natural Resources
- Region
- Global
- Posted
- Jul 9, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The Emerging Sustainability Leader Award recognises an outstanding early-career researcher whose academic or societal contribution advances sustainability across biosphere, society and economy dimensions.
Who can apply
Nominees should be early-career researchers with a strong and promising record in sustainability-related research, typically within 10 years of completing a PhD. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted.
What it supports
- Sustainability research
- Biosphere, society and economy pillars
- Academic and societal impact
- Early-career research recognition
Funding and duration
- The recipient receives a USD 20,000 monetary prize and a customised trophy. Travel and accommodation costs for the official award ceremony at the World Sustainability Forum 2027 are covered subject to Foundation terms.
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026: Nov 30, 2026
How to apply
Submit a nomination through the official MDPI Sustainability Foundation award page by 30 November 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Emerging Sustainability Leader Award opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 30 November 2026. It honours one early-career researcher in the 2027 cycle for exceptional academic or societal contribution to sustainability. The winner will be notified in February 2027 and publicly announced during the World Sustainability Forum 2027.
Eligibility
Nominees should be early-career researchers with a strong and promising record in sustainability-related research, typically within 10 years of completing a PhD. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted.
Funding and benefits
The recipient receives a USD 20,000 monetary prize and a customised trophy. Travel and accommodation costs for the official award ceremony at the World Sustainability Forum 2027 are covered subject to Foundation terms.
Themes and supported activities
Sustainability research
Biosphere, society and economy pillars
Academic and societal impact
Early-career research recognition
Deadline and timeline
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026: Nomination deadline: 30 November 2026: Nov 30, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Submit a nomination through the official MDPI Sustainability Foundation award page by 30 November 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.