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Early Learning
The Khalifa International Award for Early Learning is an International Education Award founded in the United Arab Emirates. The Award is intended to enhance the educational sector within the UAE, throughout the Arab world at large, and globally by honouring the distinguished efforts of researchers and educators whose efforts inform best practices and policies for early childhood education in all contexts.
The Award’s aim is to usher in a new dynamism in the educational process, in tune with contemporary advancements in scientific knowledge and information technology.
UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa Award for Education


His Excellency
Humaid AlHouti
The United Arab Emirates has contributed a unique model for providing world-class early education and childhood care since the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, assumed office. Sheikh Zayed was a kind father who adored children and extended his full support towards excellence in every aspect of childhood care and early education.

Best Research and Studies
We seek to identify research on early childhood education and care that supports improvements in practice. This category includes studies that provide innovative solutions to problems, new insights into learning and teaching, and enrich the evidence base for policy and practice in ways that can lead to meaningful improvements in early learning.
Applications for the Best Research and Studies Prize be judged on four criteria: innovativeness, importance, methodological rigor, and impact. Each submission must demonstrate rigorous evaluation. Each of the criteria will be assigned equal value in judging the applications. To assist in preparing applications, we provide four main questions (with sub-questions under each) that should be addressed in each application. Research should have been published in some form already (for example a government or nongovernmental organization report, a book or book chapter, or a journal article) but such publications should be the basis for an application not the application itself. Each application should include an abstract of no more than 300 words that includes a brief description of the research and addresses all four criteria. Applications should be no more than 10 pages excluding the abstract, references, and an optional appendix of up to 3 pages that may include links to publications and other materials on-line.
Best Programs, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies and Practices
We seek to identify initiatives that aim to improve early learning in homes, informal care, or formal care and education with demonstrated improvements in quality and/or the learning and development of the young children served.
Applications for the Best Programs, Curricula, and Teaching Practices Prize will be judged on four criteria: innovativeness, importance, impact, and feasibility/sustainability. Each submission must demonstrate rigorous evaluation. Each of the criteria will be assigned equal value in judging the applications. To assist in preparing applications, we provide four main questions (with sub-questions under each) that should be addressed in each application. Each application should include an abstract of no more than 300 words briefly describing the program and addressing each of the four criteria. All programs submitted for consideration should have been subject to an evaluation of implementation or outcomes that provides evidence of program implementation and potential or documented impacts on practice in early learning and on early learning outcomes. Applications should be no more than 10 pages excluding the abstract, references, and an optional appendix of up to 3 pages that may include links to videos, publications, and other materials on-line

Award Journey
29 July 2025
Application portal for 2026 opens
31 December 2025
Final date to submit applications for 2026
January 2026- March 2026
Screening and Review of Awards for 2026
April 2026
Announcement of Winners for 2026
May 2026
Award Ceremony for 2026
Videos
Revolutionizing Early Childhood Eduation Globally
Khalifa Award for Education – Awarding Ceremony
Khalifa Award for Early Education – Workshop
Khalifa Award for Early Education – Workshop
Latest News
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