the earth foundation
The Earth Foundation has officially opened recruitment for Mentors for The Earth Prize 2026, a prestigious global environmental sustainability competition for high school students.
This fully virtual programme seeks passionate university students who can inspire and guide young innovators in creating impactful solutions to some of the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges.
The initiative connects high school teams from across the globe with committed university mentors, fostering collaboration, creativity, and research-based problem-solving.
Mentors provide structure, encouragement, and constructive feedback as students develop their projects for the annual competition.
A Platform for Impact
The Earth Prize is an international competition that empowers high school students to design real-world solutions to pressing environmental problems.
Each year, student teams compete for recognition, mentorship, and support to advance their innovative ideas.
Mentors play a crucial role, ensuring participants remain focused, motivated, and equipped with the tools to refine and present their proposals.
Running from September 2025 to March 2026, the mentorship programme is designed to be compatible with university schedules, requiring approximately two hours per week.
Engagement is entirely online, enabling students and mentors from diverse countries and time zones to collaborate seamlessly.
Mentor Role and Responsibilities
Earth Prize Mentors act as advisors, motivators, and facilitators rather than formal instructors. Responsibilities include:
- Providing weekly support to one or more high school teams.
- Offering feedback on research, project design, and presentations.
- Attending virtual training sessions and staying updated on programme developments.
- Encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and effective teamwork.
Mentors do not need to be subject experts in environmental science; rather, they should be skilled at guiding ideas, asking the right questions, and helping students bring their visions to life.
Ideal Candidates
The Earth Foundation welcomes applications from current undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at accredited universities anywhere in the world.
Successful mentors will be:
- Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and youth empowerment.
- Strong communicators with a collaborative approach.
- Reliable, organized, and comfortable working virtually with international teams.
While previous experience in mentoring, teaching, or youth programmes is beneficial, it is not a requirement.
The programme values diversity in academic backgrounds, encouraging applications from fields such as environmental studies, engineering, public policy, biology, economics, and education.
Benefits and Recognition
The Earth Prize Mentorship Programme offers more than just volunteering experience it is a chance to expand professional skills and networks while contributing to meaningful environmental change.
Key benefits include:
- Mentor of the Year Awards: The top three mentors, as voted by participating students, will each receive a $2,500 prize.
- Professional Development: All mentors receive a certificate of participation and gain experience in project management, problem-solving, and leadership.
- Networking Opportunities: High-performing mentors will join The Earth Prize Alumni, a community offering mentorship, internships, and professional placement opportunities.
- Exclusive Learning Access: Mentors can access an online platform featuring educational content on environmental issues, skill-building resources, and interviews with leading activists and social entrepreneurs.
How to Apply
Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Early submission is strongly encouraged.
To learn more and apply https://www.theearthprize.org/mentors
About The Earth Foundation
The Earth Foundation is a Switzerland-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, educating, mentoring, and empowering young people to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Through flagship initiatives such as The Earth Prize, the Foundation fosters creativity and innovation among students, connecting them with global experts and resources to turn their ideas into impactful solutions.
By bridging education, mentorship, and action, The Earth Foundation aims to cultivate a new generation of changemakers committed to building a more sustainable future.
