Deadline: March 23, 2026.

The Annual Award for Development (AAD) recognizes outstanding contributions to sustainable development. First introduced in 2006, the AAD has evolved in OPEC Fund’s 50th Anniversary year to better reflect today’s development priorities and emerging opportunities.

Awards are given in three categories: Transformational Impact, Innovation for Development and Youth Entrepreneurship—with a total prize value of US$800,000. The AAD celebrates innovation, measurable impact and South–South cooperation, recognizing initiatives that deliver tangible, scalable and lasting results for people and communities.

CATEGORIES

• Transformational Impact Award – US$450,000
  Recognizes public institutions and development agencies delivering high-impact programs in OPEC Fund partner countries.
• Innovation for Development Award – US$250,000
  Honors startups, private companies, social enterprises and research institutions advancing innovative solutions to development challenges in OPEC Fund partner countries.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Award – US$100,000
  Celebrates entrepreneurs under 30 years of age driving solutions in renewable energy, food security or climate action in OPEC Fund partner or member countries.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The three award categories are open to nominations from partner countries whereas the Youth Entrepreneurship Category is also open to nominations from OPEC Fund member countries.

Eligible recipients for the different award categories will be as follows: 

• Transformational Impact Award: public institutions and development agencies operating in OPEC Fund-eligible partner countries that have successfully completed development projects or programs within the past three years.
• Innovation for Development Award: startups, private companies, social enterprises and research institutions operating in OPEC Fund-eligible partner countries.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Award: young entrepreneurs advancing solutions in renewable energy, food security, or climate action from OPEC Fund partner and member countries. 

APPLICATION

The nomination form, which can be downloaded on OPEC Fund’s website, along with a nomination motivation letter should be sent to: AnnualAward@opecfund.org

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE