Frontiers Planet Prize 2027
| To: | Chairs and Administrators, Associate Deans for Research, College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research |
| Date: | September 15, 2026 |
| Subject: | Frontiers Planet Prize 2027 |
Deadline
| Deadline for Internal Review: | October 02, 2026 |
Project Description
The Frontiers Planet Prize is a unique, global science competition that recognizes exceptional scientists who deliver breakthrough, scalable solutions to keep our planet safe within its boundaries. Each year, three prizes of one million dollars are awarded to the three international champions selected by an independent Jury of 100 planetary health and sustainability experts to accelerate, scale up and amplify the impact of breakthrough research. The goal is to mobilize the scientific community to address the planetary crisis and return humanity to a “safe operating space” within Earth’s planetary boundaries.
The Frontiers Planet Prize recognises transformational research that shows the greatest potential to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. With that in mind, the process is exceptionally rigorous and thorough, and engages with all stakeholders within the academic community.
The prize welcomes breakthrough research across all disciplines, on condition it is focused on planetary boundaries and presents original research findings or insightful reviews and syntheses that help to reduce the destabilization of the Earth system.
Amount per award: $1M USD
Number of awards: 3
Eligibility
Scientists at any career stage who are lead authors of the most promising recently published research articles are invited to apply. Research must be based on one research article, accepted for publication in established, peer-reviewed scientific journals, with robust peer review and transparent publication procedures. The article’s acceptance date must fall within November 1st 2024 to October 31st 2026.
The research must:
- Provide actionable, transformative solutions to keep global development within safe planetary boundaries of our planet
- Advance our understanding of our earth system and quantification of planetary boundaries
- Connect to several planetary boundaries
The UW may nominate up to 3 candidates
Please note: Each department may submit materials for one researcher to the Frontiers Planet Prize 2027 internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://www.frontiersplanetprize.org/
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
To submit your application, attach a single PDF to an email to: grants@research.wisc.edu
- Cover page including: Name, title, contact information of the nominee, and a statement indicating that your department chair has reviewed and approved your application and has selected you as the department’s sole nominee for this internal competition.
- Completed Frontiers Planet Prize Application Form
- PDF of research article
Sponsor Deadlines
Applications are due to Frontiers Research Foundation by October 30, 2026.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.