• Nominees for the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award Nominees may be individual researcher or start-ups founded by researchers under the age of 35 at the time of the submission deadline from the international research community.
• Candidates may be nominated by third parties or self-nominated.
• The entrepreneurial and sustainable potential of the research will be considered in addition to the academic quality.
• The 2025 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award will be shared amongst 3 winners (1 of 10,000 USD and 2 of 5,000 USD).
• This award will be given upon the quality of research output and a pitch presentation from the nominees.
• The Selection Committee will select the final 5-8 competitors. Out of the 5-8 competitors, a group of 3-5 judges will choose 3 finalists. The finalists will then be required to present their final pitch at the World Sustainability Forum 2025.

The nomination process for the 2025 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award will open on Friday, 10 January 2025, and close on Monday, 31 March 2025. Awardees will be personally notified by Sunday, 15 June 2025. The public award announcement will occur during the World Sustainability Forum 2025.

Non-Permanent Members:

• A university professor from the Scientific Board of Sustainability
• An unaligned university professor with expertise in sustainability
• A representative of either an intergovernmental organization, a civil society or the business sector

Up to three non-permanent members of the selection committee may be appointed for each Award. Re-appointments are possible three years after having served on the Selection Committee.

• The right to the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award is not transferable.
• A recipient can receive the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award only once.
• The recipient/s of the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award is/are required to participate in the award ceremony at the World Sustainability Forum.
• The associated costs are covered by the organizers to an extent that will be communicated to the recipient.