How to enter

Entrants are discouraged from using generative artificial intelligence (AI) when producing their entry. For example, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

In the limited instances where AI has been used, this must be explicitly identified and a reason provided for why this was essential. For example, a translation of a technical term into English. In such cases, the AI application used should be clearly identified.

After logging in for the first time, you will see the option to 'Start your application'.  This will lead you to a series of questions that are designed to give the judges a detailed insight into your project, its success to date and how you plan to take it forward.  

If you have entered the Prize since 2021, you will also see an 'Archive' option where you can access your previous entries.

You will be asked to provide details for the 'lead applicant', including their education and career history. You should answer all relevant questions and put "not applicable" or “N/A” for any that do not apply to you. The judges will not penalise applicants for a “not applicable” response.

The lead applicant should be the person who would travel to St Andrews to present the project to the judges, if it is selected for the final. As the presentation must be conducted in English and all event proceedings take place in English, it is advisable that the lead applicant is fluent in English. 

You will be asked to outline a two-week internship visit opportunity for a University of St Andrews student, during which they would provide help and support to your project.  

You should outline how the visit would benefit your project and how it would provide a learning opportunity for the student, and would allow them to gain practical skills and experience of environmental conservation in action.

You will be asked to declare if you have any links with the University of St Andrews or its staff. This includes informal links and financial links. The purpose of this question is to assess any potential conflicts of interest and it is not designed to give preferential treatment to applicants with links.

You will be asked to state if you have used artificial intelligence (AI) when producing your entry and to detail why using AI was essential.

We strongly recommend that you save the form regularly while completing it. Please ensure that the 'Application saved' message has appeared on screen before closing your entry.

All entries must be submitted, in English, by 12 noon UK time on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Your entry is submitted when you click the blue 'Submit' button at the bottom of the form. If you have missed any questions, the page will automatically jump to the question you have missed to prompt you to complete it.

After hitting submit, you will see a preview of your application. You can also access your entry at any time by logging into your account and clicking 'View your application for St Andrews Prize 2026'.

You can amend your entry after submitting by viewing your application and selecting 'Withdraw submission' at the bottom of your form and then amending the relevant sections. Please ensure that you save any changes and that you re-submit your entry ahead of the deadline otherwise it will not be considered.

The judges are looking for you to provide a compelling overview of your project, as well as evidence of its success to date, and your vision for how it can be developed further. They are also looking to see how your approach is innovative, particularly when compared to other similar projects.

In your entry, you need to clearly identify the environmental problem being tackled and explain how your project is helping to solve it. You must also note how the values of your project align with the environment and its sustainability.

To help you do this and increase your chance of progressing in the competition, you should:

• Write clearly and for a general audience. Assume that the reader has no prior knowledge of your work or any technology you have described. Limit the use of acronyms and ensure these are defined.
• Clearly state both how your approach is innovative and who has intellectual ownership of the idea.
• Provide sufficient evidence to support claims made, including for the impact of the project and its benefit to the environment.
• Avoid repetition and omit irrelevant information.