Varkey Foundation · Dubai, UAE
Applications are open for the Global Teacher Prize 2027, an international award that recognises exceptional educators who have made outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. The prize celebrates teachers whose work improves educational outcomes, inspires students, strengthens communities and contributes to the development of the teaching profession.
Presented by the Varkey Foundation, the Global Teacher Prize aims to highlight the importance of teachers and recognise the role they play in addressing educational and social challenges around the world. The award offers a major platform for educators to share their achievements and demonstrate how effective teaching can transform the lives of children and young people.
The 2027 edition broadens eligibility beyond traditional classroom teaching. Alongside teachers in public and independent schools, the prize welcomes eligible digital educators, leaders of structured education programmes and educators working in refugee education and other non formal learning environments. This expanded scope recognises the different ways education reaches learners and the contribution of educators working in diverse circumstances.
The Global Teacher Prize is an international award established to celebrate teachers who demonstrate excellence, innovation and a strong commitment to their students. It recognises that teaching involves more than delivering lessons. Exceptional educators identify barriers to learning, develop effective responses, support students with different needs and help young people become active and responsible members of society.
The prize considers educators working in different educational settings, including conventional schools, recognised early years programmes, online learning environments, refugee education and community based programmes. Applicants must have direct responsibility for the learning of children and young people, whether through classroom instruction, digital teaching or the design and leadership of structured learning initiatives.
The award also seeks to encourage the sharing of effective educational practices. By highlighting the work of outstanding teachers, it aims to inspire other educators, strengthen the status of the profession and demonstrate how teaching can contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies.
• US$1 million prize: The selected winner receives a prize valued at US$1 million.
• International recognition: The award provides an opportunity to showcase educational achievements on a global platform.
• Professional visibility: Recognition can help bring attention to innovative teaching practices and educational initiatives.
• Opportunity to share impact: Successful candidates can highlight approaches that may inform and inspire other educators.
• Recognition of diverse teaching settings: Eligible educators can be considered whether they work in classrooms, online environments or non formal education programmes.
Important payment information: The US$1 million prize is paid in ten equal annual instalments of US$100,000, subject to applicable taxes and other legally required deductions. It is not paid as a single lump sum.
The prize is open to educators who work directly with children and young people aged four to eighteen, subject to the programme's detailed eligibility conditions.
Eligible candidates may include:
• Teachers working in state schools and independent schools.
• Early years teachers working within a recognised curriculum.
• Educators working in non formal settings, including refugee education.
• Digital educators who teach through videos or other published formats and reach ongoing groups of learners.
• Founders and leaders of structured education programmes who personally design, direct or scale learning initiatives for children and young people.
• Part time, contract and self employed educators whose work meets the eligibility requirements.
Applicants must have at least five years of experience working in the education of students aged four to eighteen, according to the published eligibility criteria.
Candidates must have direct responsibility for teaching or learning design. Individuals whose roles are exclusively administrative or managerial, without continuing involvement in the practice or design of teaching, are not eligible. Teachers working in further or higher education for students aged eighteen and above are also excluded.
Applicants should review the official eligibility rules carefully before beginning an application. The main requirements include:
• Applicants may be of any nationality and may work in any country, subject to local laws.
• Candidates must have at least five years of experience educating students aged four to eighteen.
• Applicants must be directly involved in teaching, digital education or the design and leadership of structured learning programmes.
• Educators must demonstrate a clear contribution to student learning and development.
• Candidates should provide credible evidence of their educational achievements and the impact of their work.
• Applicants working in formal and non formal education settings may qualify if they meet the relevant requirements.
• Educators in roles that are purely administrative or managerial are not eligible.
• Teachers whose work is limited to further or higher education for adults aged eighteen and above are not eligible.
Candidates are assessed against criteria designed to identify educators whose work demonstrates excellence and meaningful impact.
• Effective instructional practice: Evidence that teaching methods improve education quality and can be adapted or expanded in other settings.
• Innovative teaching: Creative approaches that respond to the specific needs of learners, schools, communities or educational platforms.
• Demonstrable learning outcomes: Evidence that students have benefited from the candidate's work, supported by assessments, progress records, platform data or credible testimony.
• Impact beyond the immediate setting: Contributions to the wider community, educational sector or teaching profession.
• Global citizenship and peace: Work that helps students understand different cultures and viewpoints, engage constructively with others and contribute to peaceful societies.
• Strengthening the teaching profession: Mentoring colleagues, sharing effective practices, contributing to teacher education or helping other educators address professional challenges.
• Recognition of achievements: Evidence that the candidate's work is recognised by relevant educational institutions, professional bodies, colleagues, families, students or learning communities.
Applicants should use concrete examples to demonstrate their contributions rather than relying only on general statements about their commitment to education.
Candidates should prepare information that clearly explains their teaching practice, achievements and impact. Applicants should be ready to provide:
• Details of their teaching experience and current educational role.
• Information about the students or communities they serve.
• Examples of teaching methods, educational programmes or learning initiatives they have developed or implemented.
• Evidence of student progress and educational outcomes.
• Examples of innovation and how it addresses specific learning challenges.
• Details of contributions to the wider community or teaching profession.
• Evidence of professional recognition where applicable.
• Responses to the questions and supporting information requested through the official application portal.
The application should accurately reflect the candidate's own experience and achievements. The official eligibility and criteria page states that applications are checked for AI generated content and that instances may result in disqualification. Applicants should therefore prepare their responses in accordance with the prize's rules and ensure that all submitted material is their own work.
Dubai, UAE
Varkey Foundation
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