Eligibility

All entries must be submitted in English and finalists must deliver a presentation to the judges in English.

Entrants are discouraged from using generative artificial intelligence to produce their entry. For example, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

Read the guidance on how artificial intelligence may be used.

For a project to be eligible, it must:

• be solving a major environmental problem
• be contributing to the long-term global pursuit of sustainable development, conservation and or biodiversity
• be innovative
• be fully established
• be able to provide data and evidence to demonstrate the success of the solution
• have the potential to expand to another location or for its key elements to be applied in another context
• have a need for funding to develop the project further and a clearly defined plan for how the prize money will facilitate this
• have the ability to inspire others in the field
• meet high ethical standards in respect of intellectual property and in how it interacts with people and with the environment
• be able to host a University of St Andrews student for a two-week internship visit
• be inclusive

A project is not eligible if it:

• has no environmental benefit
• is not innovative
• is at the idea, pilot or prototype stage
• is a research project
• is an infrastructure project
• is seeking funding for a one-off event
• is seeking funding towards the day-to-day running costs of an existing initiative
• cannot provide evidence to demonstrate the success of the solution
• is unable to host a University of St Andrews student for a two-week internship visit
• excludes particular groups in society
• relates to political activities, lobbying or religious groups or is focused on special interest groups
• is designed for fundraising purposes

Winners and runners-up are required to host a University of St Andrews student for a two-week internship visit, which will be funded by the University. The University may, in certain circumstances, consider funding an additional week if the internship project cannot be completed within the standard two-week period.

Entrants are not required to have formal internship programmes in place, however, all entrants must:

• outline how their project would benefit from the help and support of an internship visit
• outline how the internship visit would allow the student to learn about environmental conservation and develop practical skills in this area

Internship visits will typically take place during the University of St Andrews summer vacation period, which runs from June to August.

Submitted entries will be reviewed by the Screening Committee, who will draw up a shortlist of potential finalists for the judges to consider. The judges and Screening Committee reserve the right to reject any entry which, in their opinion, does not engender a satisfactory level of confidence.

Shortlisted entrants will be asked to submit additional materials in support of their entry, including a short video and two independent references. The referees must be independent of the project and the lead applicant, so cannot be a current employee or friend and or family member. The referees may be contacted as part of the due diligence process.

Three projects will be selected to participate in the St Andrews Prize for the Environment final, which will take place at the University of St Andrews on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Finalists must be present in St Andrews from Sunday 15 March to Wednesday 18 March 2026 to participate in the proceedings.  

Finalists must deliver a presentation to the judges in English and must respond to questions in English. Finalists who require the assistance of a translator are permitted to bring a translator to St Andrews. The translator’s services must be secured by the finalist and all expenses paid for by the finalist.