Impact always starts with a strong idea.

The Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen have teamed up to once again honor and support the work of extraordinary individuals who are actively working to end extreme poverty around the world. 

Now in its twelfth year, the Waislitz Awards consist of three awards totaling grants of $300,000 USD - the Global Citizen Waislitz Prize, the Disruptor Award, and the Global Citizens' Choice Award. 

The Waislitz Foundation exists to create positive social impact locally and globally through innovative projects that support individuals in achieving their goals and making a measurable difference to the world.

For the last 11 years, the program has received hundreds of applications from all corners of the globe for the Waislitz Awards, all harnessing a shared commitment to ending extreme poverty and improving the living conditions of people globally.

Last year's winners included Grand Prize Winner Osei Boateng of Ghana, who is a healthcare entrepreneur transforming access to healthcare in his home country; Disruptor Winner Maryanne Gichanga of Kenya, who is equipping smallholder farmers, especially women and young people, with an AI-powered tool to detect pests and crop diseases in real time; and People's Choice Winner Joshua Ichor of Nigeria, who is working to improve access to clean water across the country. 

This year, the Global Citizen Waislitz Awards will once again recognize three changemakers with $100,000 cash prizes each, totaling $300,000. 

Applications for the 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards open on May 19, 2026, at 13:00 p.m. EDT, and will close June 14, 2026, at 13:00 p.m. EDT. 

See below for everything you need to know to apply. 

Criteria and Categories

Applications to the 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards will be evaluated based on these criteria:

• Global Citizenship: Demonstrating alignment with the values outlined in the Global Citizen Manifesto.
• Proof of Concept: Providing evidence of impactful efforts towards ending extreme poverty within the past one to two years.
• Disruption: Showcasing innovative approaches that challenge existing systems and norms.
• Scalability: Outlining plans for scaling or expanding their initiatives to reach more people and create lasting change.
• Adaptability: Demonstrating the ability to effectively respond to changing conditions and challenges.

The same as the last two years, the 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards will have three distinct categories to honor the exceptional contributions from the applicants in the fight against extreme poverty.

• The Global Citizen Waislitz Grand Prize Award: Awarded to an applicant based on the five criteria listed above. 
• The Global Citizen Waislitz Disruptor Award: Recognizes innovators who challenge the status quo and disrupt systems that perpetuate poverty. 
• The Global Citizens' Waislitz Choice Award: Determined by public online voting that will be open for two weeks in July.

Application Process 

To apply, you need to submit an application outlining your initiatives, impact, and plans for the future. A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate the submissions based on the outlined criteria, selecting the most deserving recipients of the awards.

The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards have recognized remarkable individuals leading bold initiatives that tackle critical issues in their communities, all with the goal of ending extreme poverty. If this sounds like you, apply now for the 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards and stamp your place in this defining moment for change.