The International Science Council is proud to partner for the fourth year with the Frontiers Planet Prize in recognizing and rewarding research that advances planetary boundary science. It’s the world’s biggest prize for transformative, science-based breakthroughs to enable healthy lives on a healthy planet.
Three prizes worth a total of USD 3 million will be awarded in this fourth edition to the world’s most innovative sustainability research offering globally scalable solutions for protecting and restoring planetary health. All domains of science are eligible.
All ISC Members are invited to submit up to three applications by 1 November, 12:00 UTC, using the application form below (a separate form is required for each nomination). Other scientific institutions that wish to apply for the Prize through the ISC and that do not already have a National Representative Body (NRB) (see list here) may express their interest by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. These institutions will first need to register for the Prize as National Nominating Bodies (NNBs) (see list here) before submitting their application to the ISC.
The Frontiers Planet Prize is a global competition for scientists and research institutions to propose solutions to help the planet remain within the safe operating space of any one or more of the 9 planetary boundaries. The prize aims to mobilize nations and the global community of scientists conducting research on earth system science. For more details, we invite you to explore the Frontiers Planet Prize 4th Edition Brochure.
Scientists who wish to participate in the prize do so through their research institution or university who act as a National Nominating Body (NNB). NNBs consider each application and send up to three nominations to the country’s national academy of science, which acts as a National Representative Body (NRB).
The NRBs then shortlist three nominations to represent the country which are sent to the Jury of 100. The Jury of 100 selects a National Champion per participating country, and from this cohort, three International Champions, each of whom wins USD 1 million to advance their important breakthrough research, through their institution.
The Planet Prize will honour research published in established peer-reviewed scientific journals in the past two calendar years (date of acceptance: 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2025) that has the greatest potential to help keep the Earth system within planetary boundaries. All submitted research must be in English.
Scientists who wish to participate in the prize do so through their research institution or university who act as a National Nominating Body (NNB). NNBs consider each application and select up to three nominations.
All submitted research must advance an understanding and offer solutions that address at least one of the nine planetary boundaries, and have the potential for measurable global impact.
Read more information about the Prize and how it works.
The ISC comes in as a partner widening the visibility of the prize, to ensure participation across social and natural sciences. Also, the ISC facilitates nominations from institutions in regions and countries who do not yet have a National Representative Body in place for the Frontiers Planet Prize. NNBs who wish to learn more details about the ISC submission process are invited to write to Gabriela Ivan, ISC Membership Development Officer, at [email protected].
A Jury of 100 leading sustainability scientists, chaired by Johan Rockström forms the final voting panel. The Jury acts completely independently from the Foundation, National Nominating and National Representative Bodies.
The submitted research must offer solutions addressing at least one of nine planetary boundaries and have the potential for measurable global impact. Sustainability scientists have identified nine planetary boundaries that we cannot cross without risking the collapse of life on Earth as we know it. Johan Rockström and Owen Gaffney have described these boundaries in their book Breaking Boundaries, as well as on the website of the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Action is needed now to prevent us from crossing these boundaries and, where we have already transgressed them, to guide a safe and just transformation of the world back to within Planetary Boundaries.
Photo provided by the Frontiers Planet Prize.
Read more about Get involved in the 5th International Polar Year 
Read more about Call for contributions, nominations and climate experts: COP30, Brazil | deadline: 20 October 
Read more about Frontiers Planet Prize, Fourth edition: Call for peer reviewers | deadline: 1 November 
