Applications are now open for UNEP Young Champions of the Earth 2026. It is the United Nations’ flagship program that honors people doing outstanding work to protect and restore our planet. Winners will receive a prize of US$100,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York, USA, to participate in the award ceremony. The UNEP is looking for Fresh, innovative, and original ideas to address environmental challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, or pollution and waste. Think out of the box. As Albert Einstein famously stated, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Anyone from any field can apply and propose the Idea. There is no cost to participate. More details are below.
About UNEP Young Champions of the Earth 2026
- Host Country: USA
- Location: New York
- Travel Date: Not Decided
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 31st March 2026
Also Check: UNNF Strategic Needs Fellowship 2026, USA (Fully Funded)
Financial Benefits
- Seed Funding: Winners receive $10,000
- Additional Grants: Winners travel to New York – all travel expenses are covered.
What does it take for your big idea to win?
- New & Different: Ideas that solve problems in a way no one has tried before (thinking “outside the box”).
- Big Enough to Grow: A solution that starts in your neighborhood but could eventually work for the whole world.
- Action-Oriented: Whether it’s a new app, a cool art festival, a tree-planting project, or a smart way to recycle water—it just needs to actually do something about climate change, pollution, or nature loss.
Also Check: World Bank Youth Summit 2026 in USA (Fully Funded)
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: You must be between 18 and 30 years old by the end of 2026.
- Experience: You need to show you’ve been working on your project for at least 6 months.
- Individual Award: You must apply as a person, not as a company or a group (even if you run an NGO or startup).
Also Check: Summer Programs in Europe in 2026 (Fully Funded)
How to Apply?
Apply online from the official website. The link is below.
APPLY FOR THE UNEP YOUNG CHAMPIONS OF THE EARTH
