Waislitz Global Citizen Award 2026 for ending extreme poverty ($USD 300,000 cash prize)

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Application Deadline: June 14th, 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Waislitz Global Citizen Award. Celebrating its twelfth year, The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards are annual cash prizes totaling $300,000 that recognize the excellence of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty. The grand prize and two additional prizes are $100,000 each, for a total of three prizes. The awards are presented by the Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen. The Waislitz foundation exists to create a positive social impact locally and globally through innovative projects that empower individuals to meet their full potential and make a measurable difference to the world.

Requirements

• Entrants aged eighteen (18) years of age or older from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply for the awards. 

Evaluation Criteria

• Global Citizenship
  How does the applicant embody and exemplify the values and practices of a Global Citizen?
• Proof of Concept
  Does the applicant have a strong proof of concept with at least 1-2 years of impact towards ending extreme poverty?
• Disruption
  Has the applicant created measurable impact in an innovative manner that disrupts the systems that allow for extreme poverty to exist?

• Scalability
  How would this award enable/support the applicant to scale or improve their work?
• Adaptability
  Can the applicant demonstrate examples of their ability to adapt and evolve to changing conditions?

Prize Details

The 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards feature three awards totaling $300,000 USD. They will be profiled in editorial pieces that will be featured on the Global Citizen platform and social media.

Global Citizen Waislitz Prize
$100,000 winner based on all five criteria below

Disruptor Award
$100,000 winner who excels in the “Disruption” criteria

Global Citizens’ Choice Award
$100,00 winner selected with input from online voting from the Global Citizen community

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Waislitz Global Citizen Award