Kuwait’s annual Al-Sumait Prize honours individuals or institutions who have, through their work or research, made significant advances in the fields of food security, health, and education in Africa. An initiative of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late Amir of the State of Kuwait, its goal is to shine a light on those making a positive difference to sustainable development in Africa . Sponsored by the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the State of Kuwait and managed by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), the awards celebrate the work and accomplishments of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, a Kuwaiti physician who spent his lifetime helping the poor in Africa in the fields of health and education. Administered by KFAS and a Board of Trustees, the objective of the prizes is to recognise the best studies, scientific projects, applied research, and innovative initiatives that have a significant impact and lasting influence on advancing progress towards economic and social development in Africa. The prize is awarded annually and has a value of $1,000,000 (One million US dollars).

Eligibility

• The nominated candidates’ research and development work or projects and initiatives must be innovative and have achieved high-impact in the African continent.
• The submitted work must be of paramount importance in promoting significant economic, social, human resources and infrastructure development within the announced field of the prize, education.
• The submitted research work of a nominated candidate should be composed of studies and applied research, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and recognized at a global level within the announced field. The research outcomes need to have been applied after publication in African countries within the past ten years. Adequate supporting evidence needs to be provided.
• Nominations are accepted from competent regional and international institutions and scientific centres (universities, institutes and centres of scientific research) as well as from UN organisations, former winners in the field of the prize, or former evaluation members.
• All submissions must be submitted in English. If the work is carried out in another language, a comprehensive summary of the nominated work in English must be submitted.

The nomination form and submitted works must be received before June 30th, 2025.