Global Teacher Prize 2027

The Global Teacher Prize is an international education award established by the Varkey Foundation to recognise an exceptional educator who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession. The prize is valued at US$1 million and aims to highlight the importance and impact of educators around the world.

For the 2027 Global Teacher Prize, eligibility has been broadened beyond conventional classroom teaching. Eligible applicants can now include classroom teachers, Early Years teachers working within recognised curricula, educators working in refugee and other non-formal education settings, digital educators, and founders or leaders of structured education programmes.

Applicants must have direct responsibility for the learning of children and young people aged 4–18 and must have worked in their education for at least five years. Purely administrative or managerial roles without an ongoing personal role in teaching design or practice are not eligible. Teachers working solely in further or higher education with students aged 18+ are also excluded.

The award considers not only classroom outcomes but also innovation, wider community impact, contribution to the teaching profession, global citizenship and recognition of the educator's work. For digital educators and programme leaders, the revised framework allows impact to be demonstrated through relevant platform data, programme outcomes and independent evidence.

The Global Teacher Prize is a Varkey Foundation initiative associated with GEMS Education and organised in collaboration with UNESCO.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.
• Applicants may be of any nationality and may be based in any country, subject to local laws.
• Applicants must have worked in the education of students aged 4–18 for at least five years.
• Classroom teachers working in state or independent schools may apply.
• Early Years teachers working to a recognised curriculum may apply.
• Teachers working in non-formal education settings, including refugee education, may apply.
• Digital educators whose teaching reaches ongoing groups of students through video or other published formats may apply.
• Founders or leaders of education programmes may apply where they personally design, direct and scale structured learning for students aged 4–18.
• Part-time, contract and self-employed educators may be eligible on the same basis as full-time educators.
• Applicants must have direct responsibility for children's or young people's learning.
• Applicants whose roles are purely administrative or managerial without an ongoing personal role in teaching design or practice are not eligible.
• Teachers working solely in further or higher education with learners aged 18+ are not eligible.
• Applicants must not be prohibited by their country's laws from entering or receiving the prize.
• Applicants must not be previous Global Teacher Prize winners.
• Previous Top 10 Global Teacher Prize candidates are not eligible.
• Additional conduct and background requirements contained in the official Terms & Conditions apply.

• US$1 million Global Teacher Prize for the overall winner.
• Prize payments are made in equal annual instalments of US$100,000 over 10 years.
• Global recognition for the winner's contribution to education and teaching.
• Free financial counselling sessions are provided to the winner by the Varkey Foundation.
• The winner serves as a Global Ambassador for the Varkey Foundation for five years following the award.
• For required Global Ambassador activities, the Varkey Foundation states that it will arrange and pay for relevant travel and accommodation.

Applicants should prepare the following supporting materials:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
• Reference letter from the applicant's current or recent school/institution from within the past two years.
• The reference should identify the applicant, their role, institution, subjects taught and length of employment.
• The referee's name, position, relationship to the applicant and institutional information should be included.
• The reference should endorse the applicant as an educator or recommend them for the Global Teacher Prize.
• Supporting evidence of official or public recognition of achievements, where applicable.
• Optional supporting documents, photographs or relevant URLs may also be included within the platform's stated limits.
• Optional public video links may be provided where relevant.

Applications are evaluated based on evidence of:

• Effective teaching practices that are replicable or scalable and can influence the quality of education.
• Innovative instructional practices addressing challenges facing the school, community, platform or learner population.
• Demonstrable student learning outcomes attributable to the applicant's work.
• Impact beyond the applicant's immediate classroom, platform or learner cohort.
• Supporting students to become responsible global citizens and helping them constructively navigate differences and promote peace.
• Contribution to strengthening the teaching profession through activities such as mentoring, sharing practice or supporting teacher development.
• Recognition of the applicant's work by relevant organisations, institutions, professional bodies, peers, parents, students or learning communities.

Following initial evaluation, a panel of online judges selects the Top 50 finalists. A Prize Committee then selects the Top 10, before the Global Teacher Prize Academy selects the winner through a secure voting process, subject to further screening, reference and background checks. PwC monitors aspects of the process to support fairness and transparency.

• Gain recognition for outstanding educational impact on an international stage.
• Compete for one of the world's most significant monetary awards for educators.
• Showcase innovative teaching practices and measurable learner outcomes.
• Highlight educational work that positively affects communities beyond the classroom.
• Join an international network and community of recognised educators.
• Use global recognition to amplify effective teaching practices and education initiatives.
• Contribute to wider conversations about the importance and future of the teaching profession.