Newton Prize
The Newton Prize is a £1 million fund which recognises the excellent research and innovation the Newton Fund has invested in since its launch in 2014.
It celebrates the best partnerships between the UK and Newton Fund countries, and encourages new international collaborations to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Newton Prize 2020 celebrates projects with Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, South Africa, and Turkey.
Newton Prize winners announced
The Newton Prize 2020 winners have been announced from a shortlist of 27 research and innovation projects between the UK and Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, South Africa, and Turkey.
Read about this year’s shortlisted projects in our Newton Prize 2020 booklet (PDF, 5.4MB) and watch our Virtual Awards event hosted by Dr Maddie Aderin-Pocock.
Thank you to everyone who applied for the Prize this year.
Previous news – Additional Newton Prize funding announced
An additional prize category with funding of up to £500,000 has been confirmed for this year’s Newton Prize. Applicants for the ‘Chair’s Prize’ will need to demonstrate how their research addresses one of three United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health & Wellbeing, Gender Equality, or Sustainable Cities & Communities.
A message about COVID-19
We would like to send a message of heartfelt thanks to all the applicants, their teams, institutions and organisations who are taking the time to apply for the Newton Prize this year, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic and the extreme strain this has put on businesses, individuals and families. Thanks also to the dedication of the delivery partner, in-country and administration teams who are supporting the applications and to our expert reviewers and committee for their time and input.
Research and innovation has such an important role to play in addressing global challenges such as pandemics and at this difficult time it is inspiring to see that our Newton Fund community is finding time to continue important work and to plan for the future.
We are pleased to confirm that thanks to your enthusiastic engagement and despite the challenging circumstances, the Newton Prize 2020 will continue on the timescales set out below. If you have any queries regarding the Prize which aren’t answered in our FAQs please contact [email protected] who will be delighted to assist you.
Key Dates
Tuesday 10th March
Call for submissions - Part A application only
Monday 17 August
Shortlist announced
Tuesday 21 April
Deadline for Part A applications
Wednesday 23 September
Newton Prize committee meeting
Tuesday 2 June
Applicants successful at Part A invited to submit Part B proposals
November 2020
UK/International Virtual Awards Event
Tuesday 7 July
Deadline for Part B applications
November/December 2020
In-Country/UK presentation events
Call for expert reviewers
We are looking for experts to review Newton Prize applications. To become an expert reviewer for the Newton Prize, please complete the registration form linked below.
Registrations to review the Newton Prize are welcomed from any country worldwide. To become an expert reviewer for the prize, you will need to provide evidence of how you are a recognised authority in your specialist field. Please note that there is no remuneration for Newton Prize reviewers, your time and expertise is greatly appreciated in the review process.
Contact us
The UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) is contracted to administer the Newton Prize application process by the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
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