Zayed Future Energy Prize open for submissions

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world's preeminent award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability, will open for submissions on March 4, 2013 for the 2014 awards. Entries are invited in the categories of large corporation, small and medium enterprise (SME), non-governmental organisation (NGO), the individual lifetime achievement and global high schools. The closing date for submissions is August 5, 2013. In the large corporation, SME, NGO and global high schools categories, submissions can be made by each company, organisation or school. However, for the lifetime achievement category, individuals must be nominated by a third-party. All categories will be able to submit or nominate for the Prize on its website. The Zayed Future Energy Prize is an annual US$ 4 million award, which recognises individuals, companies and organisations that have made significant contributions in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. High Schools, however, are asked to submit a proposal for funding consideration. Launched in 2008, the Prize has gained global recognition and built a strong reputation as the most influential award in the renewable energy and sustainability community. Submissions and nominations have increased 300 percent over the past five years as recognition of the value of the Prize grows. The 2013 winners of the prize were selected after a careful evaluation of 579 submissions. The eight winners included Siemens (Large Corporation), d.light design (SME), Ceres (NGO), Dr. Jose Goldemberg (Lifetime Achievement), and four high schools representing various regions of the world (Global High Schools Prize). The winners of the Prize are chosen according to a stringent four-stage selection process, including a short listing by an independent research and analysis firm and evaluation by the Review committee and Selection committees respectively. In the fourth and final stage, the jury comprising heads of state, leading academics, energy experts and world renowned personalities with an interest in sustainability, discuss and select the winners and runners up in each award category. Evaluations and eliminations are made using a scoring matrix based on the Prize's four main criteria: impact, long-term vision, leadership and innovation. Winners will be announced on January 20, 2014, at an award ceremony to be held in Abu Dhabi as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.