Launched by the Dubai Future Foundation under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Foresight Awards celebrate global thought leaders, innovators, and pioneers whose work in foresight and future design has made a meaningful impact. The Awards recognise individuals, organisations, and groups who apply foresight frameworks, methodologies, and innovative tools to drive long-term thinking, resilience, and strategies that help shape better futures for people and the planet.
Bringing together the global futures and foresight community, the Awards spotlight beacons of impact from around the world and reinforce Dubai's ambition to build a world-leading foresight ecosystem, while encouraging proactive and future-focused thinking across industries and communities.
The 2025 ceremony, held at the 4th Edition of the Dubai Future Forum, marked a global moment of recognition for those advancing how the world anticipates and shapes what's next. Each award represented not only achievement, but a shared commitment to using futures thinking as a force for positive transformation.
For those turning vision into action. This award recognises projects that use futures thinking to improve lives — guiding policy, driving social change, transforming institutions. Foresight with a human heart.
A revolutionary cross-domain taxonomy with AI-powered foresight enabling policy makers to deliver longevity solutions to citizens. From reactive "Age-Friendly Cities" to proactive "Cities of Longevity" that actively influence how we age throughout the life course.
Lynn Corner from the UK's National Innovation Centre for Ageing received the award from HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on behalf of Nic Palmarini.
Connect with Nic PalmariniThree scenario projects from Hawai'i, Cyprus, and Ethiopia. Each one used foresight to support people living through political tension, social division, or post-conflict recovery.
"Foresight for People" democratises futures thinking, fostering intergenerational solidarity, and driving systemic change — laying the foundations for a resilient, equitable Australia that plans boldly for generations to come.
Honouring those safeguarding our shared future. This award recognises individuals and teams leveraging foresight to protect nature, biodiversity, and climate resilience — turning long-term thinking into ecological action.
#CongoBasinFutures deploys participatory foresight, storytelling, and indigenous knowledge to explore alternative futures for the Congo Basin — a region of immeasurable importance for biodiversity, cultural diversity, carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation.
Kenneth Nsah from UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition and SOIF received the award from HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Connect with Kenneth NsahThree Futures Test translates foresight into investable narratives by mapping climate tech startups across plausible scenarios and stress-testing for resilience, leverage, and catalytic potential.
"Transforming agriculture in Egypt's Nile Delta" applies strategic foresight to address climate vulnerability in one of the world's most at-risk regions. The project reimagines agriculture through innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.
Celebrating pioneers who have pushed the boundaries of futures thinking. This award honours those who design and evolve transformative tools, frameworks, and methodologies — shifting how the world anticipates and shapes what's ahead.
Foresight that embeds Indigenous Pacific knowledge systems into futures thinking. In a field often dominated by Western paradigms, this work centres Pacific philosophies rooted in relationality, place-based wisdom, and intergenerational responsibility.
Tuya Altangerel from UNDP Pacific and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat received the award from HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Connect with Tuya AltangerelThe UNICEF Innocenti Youth Foresight Fellowship (UYFF) is the UN's first youth foresight function, established to meaningfully engage adolescents and youth in the long-term decisions that impact their lives.
A global scale, boundary-aware approach to embedding planetary limits in foresight and engaged scholarship that unites research and action in real time.
12 May 2026
15 June 2026
31 August 2026
Travel assistance will be provided for the successful finalists. In the event that a group of individuals is nominated, only one representative per group will be eligible for travel assistance.
Inclusion in Dubai Future Foundation media and promotional materials, including on social media.
The Dubai Future Foundation team will facilitate meetings designed to spark meaningful dialogue and strategic collaboration with the Global Futures Society and its broader ecosystem.
Winners will be provided with the opportunity to showcase their work and speak about its impact in dedicated sessions.
The Awards are open to individuals, teams, organisations, institutions, and collaborative groups from any country. Submissions are only accepted in English and all applicants, whether individually or as part of a group, must be 18 years and above.
Projects that have been previously submitted may not be resubmitted in the consecutive Awards cycle. A minimum gap of one year is required and any resubmission must demonstrate meaningful development or progress since the original submission. Applicants are welcome to apply with a different project in a consecutive year, provided it meets the eligibility and selection criteria as outlined above.
You can reach our team via email on [email protected].