Eco-Hero Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by Action for Nature
Introduction
Action For Nature (AFN), a nonprofit organization, is now accepting entries for the 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards. Young environmental champions aged 8 to 16 are invited to submit their individual projects. The submission deadline is February 28, 2026. Winners will be publicly announced in fall 2026.
What winners receive
Award recipients will be honored with a certificate of achievement, media recognition, and cash awards up to $1,000. Winners will also gain invitation-only access to the Eco-Hero alumni Facebook group. Beyond prizes, honorees are celebrated as role models who show how one person can make a real difference for the planet. Follow AFN to meet these inspiring young leaders.
About the awards
The International Young Eco-Hero Awards were established by AFN to acknowledge and encourage outstanding, self-directed environmental projects by youth. Independent judges with environmental expertise review entries and select the winners.
How to apply
Applicants who have led their own environmental project should document their work and submit it through AFN’s online application form. Please read the eligibility and submission guidelines below carefully before applying.
Eligibility and applicant requirements
- Age: Applicants must be between 8 and 16 years old on February 28, 2026.
- Prior winners, immediate relatives of AFN board members, and active members of AFN’s reading panels or judging panels are not eligible to apply.
- Projects that were completed solely as a school assignment must include additional environmental action, public education, or extended follow-up (for example, beyond a Science Fair or Scouting Badge) to be considered.
Project requirements
- The project must address environmental protection, conservation, advocacy, research, or overall environmental health.
- Projects must be action-oriented, initiated by the applicant, and not assigned by an adult or teacher.
- A project must have run for at least six months and be nearly finished or completed within the 12 months prior to application.
- For invention- or experiment-focused projects, applicants must have conducted trials before applying.
Not eligible
- Projects dealing with household or confined/domesticated animals are not accepted.
- Purely written compositions, reports, or submissions that are strictly academic with no direct action component will not be considered.
Application guidance
- Complete your application carefully and clearly—thoughtful, well-explained answers help reviewers understand your impact.
- Science projects should state the hypothesis and report results in plain language. Explain the significance of your findings and how they could inform or inspire a wide audience, including community members or policymakers. Treat your project summary as an opportunity to engage readers about its broader impact.
- AFN especially welcomes projects that involve direct, hands-on work with nature (habitat restoration, wildlife protection, invasive species control, pollution mitigation, etc.).
Language
- All applications must be submitted in English.
Judging and evaluation
- Preference will be given to projects that have been active for two or more years and/or are ongoing.
- Independent judges evaluate submissions using multiple factors, including:
- originality
- level of difficulty
- organization and planning
- duration and time committed
- success in meeting goals
- influence on or education of others
- use of external resources (libraries, experts, media, community leaders)
- measurable environmental impact
Next steps and contact
We look forward to reading about your environmental efforts and the difference you’ve made. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact AFN.