Applications Will Open for 2027 Global Teacher Prize
The Varkey Foundation is accepting nominations for the $1 million award until October 12, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Distance Learning
Live Poll
Should digital and non-formal educators receive equal professional recognition as classroom teachers?
The Varkey Foundation has opened applications for the 2027 Global Teacher Prize, a prestigious $1 million award recognizing exceptional educators. The program has expanded its eligibility criteria to include digital and non-formal educators who work with learners between the ages of four and 18.
Why it matters
The prize aims to elevate the teaching profession by highlighting educators working outside of traditional classroom settings. By widening eligibility, the foundation intends to acknowledge the modern, evolving landscape of global education and distance learning.
Eligible candidates must have at least five years of experience teaching learners aged four to 18. The prize has awarded $1 million annually since its launch in 2015, receiving over 100,000 total applications.
The players
Varkey Foundation
This global charitable organization focuses on improving the standards of education for underprivileged children.
Rouble Nagi
She is the 2026 Global Teacher Prize winner who established 800 learning centers in India.
Global Teacher Prize Academy
This body of experts and community members is responsible for selecting the final winner of the award.
The details
Educators can apply directly or receive nominations from students and parents, with a selection process that narrows candidates to a Top 50 shortlist and 10 finalists. Purely administrative roles are excluded from consideration to ensure the focus remains on direct engagement with students.
Timeline
The Global Teacher Prize first launched in 2015.
Rouble Nagi won the Global Teacher Prize in 2026.
Applications for the 2027 prize close on October 12, 2026.
Culture Shift
This expansion represents a departure from the 2015 launch of the Global Teacher Prize, which historically focused on classroom-based instruction. It reflects a broader societal shift toward acknowledging the impact of digital and non-traditional teaching environments on global literacy.
Educators who utilize digital tools or lead non-formal education programs now have a path to pursue professional recognition and funding. Interested individuals must ensure they meet the minimum five-year experience requirement before the October 2026 deadline.
The takeaway
Recognizing educators who work in digital or non-formal environments acknowledges the reality that quality learning often happens outside of brick-and-mortar schools. Interested teachers should gather their professional experience documentation early to ensure a complete application before the deadline.
What happens next
The selection process for the 2027 Global Teacher Prize will culminate in the eventual announcement of the winner by the Global Teacher Prize Academy after the final evaluation of the finalists.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Distance Learning.
Live Poll
Should digital and non-formal educators receive equal professional recognition as classroom teachers?
