The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities recognizes and celebrates transformative urban projects that demonstrate inclusive and sustainable urban change. It is hosted by the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, a global leader in fostering healthy, equitable, and resilient cities. The Prize is designed to inspire urban changemakers worldwide by amplifying impactful stories and lessons of transformative citywide projects.
The theme for the 2025-2026 Prize cycle is "Catalyzing Healthy Cities," focusing on strengthening livability by integrating nature and urban development to create healthy, accessible, and thriving communities. This prize cycle seeks submissions from projects leading innovative efforts to enhance urban health and sustainability. Winning projects should demonstrate significant, multi-dimensional, and long-lasting urban transformation with ripple effects that impact broader communities and institutions.
Applicants can include businesses, NGOs, community groups, local governments, and collaborations from all sectors—public, private, and nonprofit. Eligible projects must have commenced after January 1, 2000. However, projects that have been previously honored by WRI as Prize finalists, received funding or technical assistance from WRI, or involve current or former WRI employees are not eligible. Applicants with close relationships to WRI or jury members may be eligible but are subject to additional ethics review.
Submissions must be completed by May 28, 2025, midnight Eastern Time. Finalists will be announced in January 2026, followed by jury selection in February 2026, and an awards celebration in May 2026. The grand prize winner will receive $250,000, while each of the four runners-up will be awarded $25,000. The application requires basic information about the applicant and initiative, an explanation of the addressed urban issue, the project’s idea and approach, demonstrated impact, and evidence of ripple effects. Applicants can upload supporting materials such as studies, surveys, and multimedia.
Evaluation criteria include the project's "Big Idea," life-changing impacts, and the extent of its ripple effects beyond the immediate project scope. Finalists must collaborate with WRI to verify eligibility and contribute to creating promotional materials, including a video profile. Travel and accommodations for two guests per finalist team will be provided for the awards event. For questions, applicants are encouraged to contact the Prize team at PrizeforCities@wri.org.
Encourage combining quantitative and qualitative evidence, focus on documented impacts and ripple effects, and concentrate submission on one primary city.
