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The Tyler Prize is an international environmental science award administered by the University of Southern California. It carries US$250,000 and is open to any individual or organization from any part of the world. It is nominated, not applied for: a third party submits the nomination, and a self-nomination is not accepted. Everything below is as described on the official Tyler Prize pages on 2026-10-29; programs change, so confirm the current cycle on the official site before you prepare a package.
What it is and who runs it
The official site states that the University of Southern California in Los Angeles administers the prize. John and Alice Tyler established it in 1973, and the site calls it the first prize of its kind to recognize achievement in environmental science. It recognizes exceptional leadership and achievement in global environmental science and policy, and the fields it names are environmental science, conservation, public policy and economics. Issues it lists include health, air and water pollution, biodiversity loss and energy. The most recent laureate listed on the homepage is Toby Kiers (2026).
Eligibility
Per the official nominations page (checked 2026-10-29), nominees may be individuals or institutions from any part of the world. The page sets these rules for nominations:
- Nominations must come from a third party. Self-nominations are not allowed.
- A single nominator may not submit multiple nominations.
- Posthumous nominations are not accepted.
- Nominations must be in English.
Who is ineligible
The page lists three ineligible categories: grassroots groups focused on local or regional solutions, organizers of large meetings or conferences, and groups whose main purpose is awareness-raising. Check a candidate against this list before preparing anything else.
What it funds or requires
The award is a US$250,000 prize to the laureate; it is a recognition, not a project grant, so there is no budget, work plan or reporting period to prepare. What the nomination must show is set by the evaluation criteria on the nominations page:
- Strong natural and/or social science.
- Work that addresses global inequalities and offers solutions.
- Measurable, scalable impact on policy or practice.
- Engagement of younger generations.
- Diverse perspectives in environmental policy and environmental justice.
Treat these as the outline for the 1-2 page accomplishment summary: each criterion should be answered with evidence a reader can follow through a link.
Application or compliance steps
There is no application from the candidate. The nominator completes the following, per the official page:
- Collect names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers for both nominee and nominator.
- Write a 1-2 page summary of the nominee’s accomplishments, with links.
- List 3-5 potential reference writers, each with name, organization and email. References are requested only if the nominee reaches the short list, so the nominator should confirm the writers are willing but does not collect letters up front.
- For an individual, add a short CV and links to publications. For an organization, add a brochure or datasheet, the website and supporting data.
- Combine everything into one Word or PDF file, named with the nominee’s name and the nomination year (the page’s examples are JoannaSmith2027 and ACME2027).
- Submit through the official nomination process when the form opens; the nominations page says the 2028 form opens in February 2027.
For how another prize runs its nominations, see the Blavatnik Awards guide; for how funders announce opportunities that are applied for, see funding opportunity announcement.
Typical timeline phases
- Preparation: the nominator assembles the package before the form opens. The official site says the form for the 2028 cycle opens in February 2027.
- Submission: one file per nomination, one nomination per nominator.
- Short list: nominators of short-listed nominees are notified (the page describes this as early June), and reference writers are contacted at this stage.
- Retention: the page says nominations are retained for three years of consideration, which is the window the page describes for each nomination.
The nominations page does not give a closing date for the current cycle, so build your schedule backward from the opening of the form rather than from an assumed deadline.
Common mistakes
- Nominating yourself or your own lab. Self-nominations are not allowed.
- Submitting several candidates from one person. One nominator, one nomination.
- Nominating a local or awareness-focused group. These fall in the ineligible categories, however worthy the work.
- Sending separate attachments. The page asks for everything in one Word or PDF file with the nominee name and year in the file name.
- Collecting reference letters early. Only names, organizations and emails are needed at submission.
- Writing a summary that restates a CV. The criteria ask for measurable, scalable impact on policy or practice and for global equity; evidence those points directly.
Related programs
| Program | Administered by | What the official page says it recognizes |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Prize | University of Southern California | Exceptional leadership and achievement in global environmental science and policy |
| Blue Planet Prize | The Asahi Glass Foundation | Individuals or organizations whose efforts make major, ongoing contributions to protecting and improving the global environment |
Both rows are as described on each program’s own site, checked 2026-10-29. For funding that is applied for rather than nominated, see funding opportunity databases, private foundation funders and the dictionary entry for a research funder. A well-built nomination also depends on the same evidence habits as a letter of support: specific, verifiable and tied to the criteria.
FAQ
How much is the Tyler Prize worth?
The official site gives US$250,000.
Can I apply for the Tyler Prize myself?
No. The nominations page states that self-nominations are not allowed; a third party must nominate.
Can an organization win?
Yes. The prize is open to individuals and institutions, but grassroots groups focused on local or regional solutions, conference organizers and awareness-raising groups are listed as ineligible.
How long is a nomination considered?
The page says nominations are retained for three years of consideration.
Are posthumous nominations accepted?
No.
Sources
- Tyler Prize official site, checked 2026-10-29.
- Tyler Prize nominations page, checked 2026-10-29.
- Blue Planet Prize, The Asahi Glass Foundation, checked 2026-10-29.
