Bright Future Prize 2026 launches today
Bright Future Prize 2026 has officially opened for entries. Hosted by ACT, the annual competition searches the world for up-and-coming changemakers on a mission to make a difference by offering £40,000 to invest in 15- to 21-year-olds to make their bright ideas a reality.
Learn more about the prize and how to enter.
Empowering the next generation
The Bright Future Prize exists to empower the next generation by investing in their diverse project ideas across four categories that aim to make a difference to the people, places and causes that matter most to them.
The submission window is open from Monday 9 February for three weeks—closing on Sunday 1 March—when applications can be made using the form on our website.
The prize is open to young people aged 15 to 21 years old based in any country where The Ardonagh Group has a presence, including:
| Angola | Germany | Peru |
| Australia | Greece | Portugal |
| Austria | Hong Kong | Singapore |
| Belgium | Ireland | South Africa |
| Bermuda | Italy | Switzerland |
| Brazil | Malaysia | Turkey |
| Chile | Malta | UK |
| Cyprus | Mozambique | USA |
| Dubai | Netherlands | |
| France | New Zealand |
Get a sense of the prize and its impact to date by watching the video below.
Four prize categories, four winners in the making
Each connected to a way young people can have a positive impact, Bright Future Prize features four prize categories – Community, Planet, Vision and Passion – with the winners across all categories sharing the £40,000 total prize fund.
Share with young people in your networks
If you are involved with youth-related causes, be that local community sports groups, sitting on a charity board, or volunteering, this is a prime opportunity to share with young people you may be connected to.
So, spread the word by directing people you know to the ACT website (ardonaghtrust.org), by sharing the Bright Future post on LinkedIn, or perhaps re-sharing a post from ACT's Instagram or Facebook (@ardonaghct).
Five years of investing in future leaders
2026 marks the fifth anniversary of Bright Future Prize, which like Ardonagh and ACT, has evolved in reach and impact. Since the inaugural prize in 2021, 45+ young people representing countries across the globe have been supported with over £185,000 to make their ideas a reality.
Over the 2026 application window, we're sharing a host of videos from just some of our alumni from across the years, sharing their firsthand experience of being a part of Bright Future Prize. Give ACT a follow on Instagram and Facebook using @ardonaghct to watch.
We can't wait to see who will reach our 2026 shortlist, and join our inspiring alumni network, when our finalists are deliberated by the ACT board of Trustees, who will select the winners in June.
Stay up to date with the 2026 prize
- Follow ACT on Instagram and Facebook where you can find us @ardonaghct.
- Visit the Bright Future Prize page on the ACT website.
- Get in touch with the ACT team by contacting info@ardonaghtrust.org
