The Earthshot Prize

The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental award established by Prince William and the Royal Foundation, drawing its name from President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot programme of the 1960s. It operates annually from 2021 to 2030, seeking out and supporting ambitious, innovative responses to critical environmental challenges. The initiative identifies five winners each year, one for each of its five categories, with every winner receiving £1 million (roughly ₹10–11 crore). Recipients also gain access to a worldwide platform, media visibility, a network of partners, investors and governments, and tailored assistance to expand and commercialise their work.

The five Earthshot categories are: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate. These cover areas such as biodiversity, reforestation, ocean health, air quality, pollution reduction, marine ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, circular economy practices, plastics and waste management, renewable energy, carbon removal and clean technology. The prize is open to individuals, teams, businesses, NGOs and governments globally, provided they offer a demonstrable, scalable solution to one of the five challenges. Both early-stage and growth-stage ventures are eligible, though a proven proof-of-concept is necessary.

The 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony will take place in Mumbai, India, marking the first time the event is hosted in the country. India has produced seven Earthshot Finalists and four Winners, more than any other nation, underscoring the strength of its environmental innovation. Applications for the 2026 cycle closed in late 2025, with winners scheduled to be announced in Mumbai. Indian startups, social enterprises and NGOs working in climate, clean energy, circular economy, biodiversity or ocean health are encouraged to track future Earthshot cycles, given India's strong record and the upcoming Mumbai ceremony.