The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has announced the launch of the 2026 edition of the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.

Applications for the award, which recognizes innovative and outstanding contributions by individuals, institutions and organizations to advance girls’ and women’s education, are open until May 12, 2026, the organization said in a statement.

UNESCO is inviting governments of Member States and partner non-governmental organizations to nominate up to three individuals, institutions or organizations that have made a significant and innovative contribution to promoting education for girls and women.

The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, the first of its kind, aims to highlight successful projects that expand educational opportunities for girls and women and improve their quality of life, the organization noted.

UNESCO stressed that despite significant progress over recent decades in advancing the right of girls and women to education, major challenges remain. Worldwide, 133 million girls are still out of school, while women represent nearly two-thirds of adults who cannot read.

According to the organization, gender, combined with factors such as cultural norms and stereotypes, economic conditions, ethnic background and place of residence, continues to prevent many girls and women from reaching their full potential.

UNESCO therefore emphasizes that gender equality must be placed at the center of education plans, budgets and policies in order to transform education systems and build more equitable societies.

In practice, this means promoting gender equality in curricula and teaching methods, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, encouraging collaboration across sectors and generations, and increasing investment in the education of the most marginalized communities.

Funded by China, the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education is awarded each year to two laureates, who each receive 50,000 dollars to support their initiatives in the field of girls’ and women’s education.

The laureates are selected by the Director-General of UNESCO based on the recommendations of an independent international jury composed of five experts. The 2026 award ceremony will take place on October 9 as part of the celebrations marking the International Day of the Girl.

The first edition of the prize was awarded in 2016.