Three winners will be fully sponsored to attend the Awards in New York City. Moonshot will provide additional grants and support based on availability.

Moonshot offers grants to help with costs for the applicants / attendees / winners, and we provide support with travel arrangements and visa applications where necessary. Our aim is to cover all costs associated with both events for participants who are selected through the evaluation process, and we work with our donors and partners to cover as much of the cost as possible.

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Yes, the Moonshot Awards welcome applications from around the globe, underscoring our dedication to nurturing global innovation and transformative change.

Winners will be notified via email and / or phone no later than 30 September 2026. Ensure that your contact information is accurate in your application.

Only those that apply for the Moonshot Awards will be considered for attending the Moonshot Camp 2027. Top applications will be selected for an interview by the Moonshot team and based on the evaluation, may be invited to the Camp.

Submissions are evaluated on a rolling basis, and the competition will close once a sufficient number of quality applications are received. Late submissions will not be considered, and the application process may close early if capacity is reached.
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Moonshot Awards 2026: The final submission deadline is 12 July 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific time.

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Applications should clearly outline the problem being solved, describe the proposed solution, and answer specific questions found in the online form. 

Winners are determined through a multi-stage evaluation process, that includes an initial screening through our proprietary software and our staff. Applications that reach the shortlist are thoroughly reviewed by evaluators and expert judges based on the stated criteria. Additional materials such as videos, photos, or links may be requested to deepen the evaluation. Interviews are conducted with finalists by an expert Jury Panel in each category.

We evaluate every applicant holistically through your written answers, your video, and in the interview stage, in conversation with you. We know every project is unique and no two applicants take the same path. But across all categories, we are looking for three things in Round 1, and a deeper version of those same three things in Round 2.

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In Round 1, we evaluate:

• Proximity. Are the people affected by this problem real and present to you? We are not looking for a biographical connection. We are looking for relational and epistemic proximity: you understand this problem deeply, the community you are serving is specific and named, and your motivation is authentic rather than adopted.

• Demonstrated Initiative. Have you already started? We are looking for evidence of action before recognition: steps you have taken, things you have built or tested, momentum you have created with limited resources. A compelling idea with no evidence of movement is not enough.

• Impact Potential. What changes if this solution succeeds? We assess both your capacity to inspire others and your venture’s potential to create change at scale. We also consider the cost of inaction: what does the community lose if this is not built?

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In Round 2, we go deeper:
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The same three dimensions evolve into a more sophisticated assessment. Proximity deepens into Leadership: can you bring others with you? Initiative deepens into Craft: have you developed real mastery, including the ability to tell the truth about your work with specificity and conviction? Impact potential deepens into Innovation, Scale, and Transfer: is your solution genuinely differentiated, can it grow, and can the model be adopted beyond your immediate context?

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In the interview, we are looking for: your authenticity, your leadership presence, your openness to learning and growth, your alignment with Moonshot’s values, and whether you are the kind of person this community will be glad to have for life. The interview is not a pitch, it is a conversation. We are not trying to catch you, but understand you.

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We are not only investing in your solution, we are investing in you, in who you are becoming and in the kind of leader you will be for the decades ahead.

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• Equity-free grant to support your idea or venture.
• Global recognition.
• Insight, mentorship, and a network to help you bring your idea to life.
• Entry to a prestigious global community of Moonshotters.
• Access to the fun and fabulous Awards ceremony and exclusive Moonshot Experience in New York City.
• Fully paid access to the Moonshot Camp 2027 intensive accelerator.
• Access to the Moonshot Two-Year Leadership Journey, including Moonshot Global Community Calls, Moonshot Impact Labs, Moonshot Access program, Moonshot Camp 2028, and the Moonshot Summit.

*Winners receive grants or funding ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $60,000, either as an equity-free grant or an equity-based investment, totaling $100,000 across all categories. Additionally, up to 100 shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in acceleration programs, which include mentorship and integration into a vibrant community, enhancing both their projects and personal growth.

Applicants may submit multiple applications provided that each entry forms a unique and distinct application that may be considered on its own merits. If your project qualifies for multiple thematic categories, please indicate this in a single application rather than submitting multiple applications for the same project. Duplicate applications for the same project will not be considered.

These awards recognize projects within specific domains such as Learning, Health, Art for Humanity, AI for Good, and Borderless initiatives. Each project can be nominated for up to two thematic awards based on its scope and impact.

There are three Main Category Awards: Idea, Startup, and Non-Profit, each targeting different stages of project development from concepts needing launch support to registered operations aiming to grow.

Awards in all categories are structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and applications must address at least one of the SDGs.

All applications must be submitted in one Main Category Award. Each application can also be submitted for up to two Thematic Impact Awards.

Eligible applicants are changemakers leading early-stage projects or social ventures, or possessing innovative ideas with the potential to make a significant impact on communities and the environment. Eligible applicants must be at least 15 years old by July 1, 2026, and no older than 30 years old as of July 1, 2026. (Eligible birthdates between June 30, 1995 and July 1, 2011).

Applications can be submitted individually or by a team. Moonshot Platform, at its discretion may award the prize money in the winning category either to the individual application or to the legal Parent/Guardian of the individual applicant, in the case they are less than 18 years old or considered a minor in their country of residence, or to the organization responsible for the project that is the subject of the application. Admission to the Moonshot Young Leaders Camp will be offered to only one individual per qualifying submission, and shall be determined by the Moonshot Jury Panel, which will consider both the needs of the applicants and available spots.

We welcome applications from those who meet our criteria, hold a C-level or leadership role within their project or organization, regardless of their equity or founder status.