UNESCO invites nominations for the special 2025 edition of the King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education. This Prize focuses on the annual theme of “Preparing learners and teachers for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence.”

In an era where AI is reshaping industries and societies, education systems play a critical role in ensuring both teachers and learners are not just users but informed contributors to AI development. This year’s prize highlights projects that develop essential AI literacy, fostering an understanding of AI’s workings, strengths, limitations, risks, and ethical dimensions. By empowering educators and learners with AI competencies, these initiatives can promote creativity, responsible application, and leadership in AI’s evolving landscape.

The 2025 Prize seeks to identify innovative projects that incorporate training programs, competency frameworks, and policy strategies that align with ethical AI use. Through recognition, UNESCO aims to amplify effective models globally and encourage inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered approaches to AI in education.

Important Details

• Application Deadline: March 28, 2025 (Midnight, GMT +1)
• International Jury Meeting: May 2025
• Award Ceremony: September 2025
• Funding Type: Monetary Reward
• Organizers: UNESCO – King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize
• Eligible Countries: UNESCO Member States worldwide
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Individuals, Institutions, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Focus Area: Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Number of Opportunities: 4 Winners
• Program Language: English or French
• Host Country: UNESCO (Headquarters in Paris, France)

Prize Amount 

The winners will receive the following benefits:

• US$ 25,000 prize money will be awarded to each of the four winners.
• International recognition during an official award ceremony in September 2025.
• Opportunity for global visibility and networking within UNESCO’s international platforms.
• Inclusion in UNESCO’s repository of best practices will increase project credibility and potential for partnerships.

Eligibility Criteria 

The following groups of people can apply for the King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize:

• Individuals
• Institutions
• Non-governmental organizations
• Foundations

Project Requirements

All projects should meet the below requirements:

• The project must directly address the 2025 theme of preparing learners and teachers for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
• Projects must be ongoing for at least one year.
• Projects should not be affiliated with UNESCO or receive UNESCO funding.
• Must be nominated by a UNESCO Member State National Commission or an NGO officially partnered with UNESCO (Self-nominations are not accepted).

Selection Criteria

The following are the selection criteria for projects:

• Nomination Submission: Projects must be nominated by eligible bodies (National Commission or official UNESCO NGO partner) by March 28, 2025.
• Review by Independent Jury: The applications will be assessed by an international jury of five recognized experts in ICTs and education.
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • Integrated AI Approach: Projects must combine technical AI skills with critical reflection on societal and environmental impacts, ensuring responsible use and co-creation of AI by learners and educators.
  • Pedagogical Relevance: Projects should align with sound educational principles, offering well-designed content and delivery suitable for the target audience.
  • Inclusive Learning: Projects must prioritize accessibility and inclusion, with particular focus on underserved groups such as refugees, learners with special needs, or minority language speakers.
  • Proven Impact: Projects should provide clear evidence of results, including reach, measurable impact, and achievement of goals, with potential for future adaptation.
  • Scalability and Replicability: Projects must show potential to be replicated in other contexts and scaled for broader impact.
• Final Decision: Winners selected by UNESCO’s Director-General based on jury recommendations.
• Announcement and Recognition: Winners will be announced in May 2025 and awarded in September 2025.

How to Apply?

All applicants should note that they cannot self-nominate. To apply for the Prize, please follow the below steps:

• Contact a nominating entity if your project qualifies the criteria.

1. List of National Commissions for UNESCO 
2. List of official NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO

• Create an account by following these steps: Request a user account and mention through which NGO or national commission you will apply.
• Start filling out the online application form in English or French by accessing the accessible online platform.
• Follow the directions in the form and stay within the word limit to present your proposal clearly and in a structured way. All supporting resources (publications, photos, or videos) must be submitted using the online system.
• Make sure that you have nominated your project.
• If you have any difficulty reaching an appropriate nominating entity, don’t hesitate to contact the Prize Secretariat.

For more information about the Prize, please read the Guidelines and visit the UNESCO Office Website. If you have any questions, contact UNESCO at [email protected] or follow them on Twitter at #ICTPrize.

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