About the opportunity
Through the Spotlight on Early Learning Impact, HundrED, in collaboration with the Khalifa Award for Education, is seeking impactful research, studies, programmes, curricula, teaching methodologies, and practices that contribute to improving early learning and education for children from birth to 8 years old. There are two award categories: Best Programs, Curricula, and Teaching Methodologies and Practices, and Best Research and Studies. One winner will be selected for each category to receive international recognition and a $100,000 USD prize. Winners will be featured in a dedicated Spotlight report and invited to the awards ceremony in April 2027 in Abu Dhabi.
Funding and benefits
- International recognition from HundrED and The Khalifa Award for Education
- A cash prize of $100,000 USD per category winner
- Feature in a Spotlight report published by HundrED
- Invitation to the awards ceremony in April 2027 in Abu Dhabi
Who can apply?
- Open to initiatives, projects, programmes, curricula, teaching methodologies, and practices aimed at improving early learning for children from birth to 8 years old with demonstrated improvements in quality or learning development
- Open to published research studies that provide innovative solutions, new insights in learning and teaching, and enrich the evidence base for policy and practice
- Submissions must demonstrate rigorous evaluation of impact, evidence, and methodology depending on the category
Required documents
- Completed innovation page submitted on the HundrED site (for programs and practices category)
- Completed application form on the Khalifa Award for Education website
When to apply
- Application deadline: December 31, 2026
- Application portal on the Khalifa Award website reopens on October 1
- Screening and selection period ends in March 2027
- Final selection celebration in April 2027
How to apply
- For Best Programs, Curricula, and Teaching Methodologies and Practices: Submit your innovation page on the HundrED site, then fill out the application form on the Khalifa Award for Education website.
- For Best Research and Studies: Submit your application directly on the Khalifa Award for Education website.
Additional information
- The application portal on the Khalifa Award website undergoes periodic improvements.
- Applications submitted on the Khalifa site must be completed in English.
- The initiative awards the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning prize.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Researchers and educators who have rigorously evaluated early childhood education programs, curricula, or studies targeting children from birth to age 8.
- Innovators seeking substantial financial backing of $100,000 USD to scale and expand their early learning practices globally.
- Organizations looking for high-level international visibility, featuring in a dedicated HundrED Spotlight report, and networking opportunities in Abu Dhabi.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must navigate a two-step submission process across both the HundrED and Khalifa Award platforms for the practice category.
- Applications on the Khalifa portal must be written entirely in English, requiring translation work for non-English source materials.
- Submissions must include concrete, demonstrable evidence of rigorous evaluation, making it less suitable for early-stage ideas without proven impact data.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity strongly aligns with goals to scale impactful educational practices, gain international recognition, and secure substantial non-dilutive funding for early childhood education research and initiatives.
Our take
Educators, researchers, and organizations with mature, rigorously evaluated early learning programs or studies should strongly consider applying before the December 31, 2026 deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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