The UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development was created in 2008 to support the improvement of teaching and learning quality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, which is one of UNESCO’s priorities.
Awarded every two years, the Prize is generously supported by the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance (Hamdan Foundation).
The Hamdan Foundation was established in 1998 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates. The Foundation targets educational excellence and the sponsorship of giftedness and innovation, to improve educational performance at all levels and sectors, honouring all groups and relevant authorities in the education sector and institutions, as well as the individuals who provide outstanding achievements and creations.
Eligibility Criteria
Governments of UNESCO Member States via their National Commissions to UNESCO and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO can make up to 5 nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted.
- National Commissions: the nomination letter is drafted by the President or Secretary General of the National Commission.
- NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO: the nomination letter is drafted by the President or Director-General at headquarters. If the NGO has branches, the Head of the NGO branch may draft the nomination letter, however a communication confirming that the candidate nomination has been approved by the executive leadership at headquarters should be joined to the nomination letter from the branch.
Offered Benefits
The Prize amounts to US $300,000, which is equally divided between three winners whose projects aim at improving worldwide the performance and effectiveness of teachers worldwide.
Application Process
Go to UNESCO on forms.office.com to apply
Candidates must register online to request an account. In doing so, candidates must comply with the eligibility requirements.
- After registration is completed, only eligible candidates receive an invitation link via email to access and complete the online application form;
- Candidates upload the nomination letter in the online platform;
- Candidates receive an email notification once they submit their application. Their respective nominating body also receives an automatic notification announcing the submission of the application;
- The application is received by the Prize Secretariat and the process is complete.
In exceptional cases, where candidates do not have access to the Internet, nominating bodies can request access to the online platform to submit the candidate nomination and application. In order to do this, the National Commission to UNESCO or the NGO in official partnership with UNESCO may contact the Prize Secretariat.
Please consult the User’s guide for candidates if you need further guidance for the online application process.
For any question regarding the processes of nomination and application to the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development, please contact the Prize Secretariat at UNESCO’s Section for Teacher Development: Tel: +33 (0) 1 45 68 05 46; E-mail: .
