Birkbeck has launched the Climate & Environment Prize 2026, an EPQ-aligned challenge that invites Year 12 students to submit creative or research-based work on climate change, biodiversity, conservation, sustainability and environmental futures. The Prize forms part of the wider programme of Birkbeck’s annual Climate Festival (17–19 March 2026). Although the Festival takes place in March, the submission deadline has been extended to 22 May 2026 to give students more time to develop their work. If your students would like inspiration, you are warmly invited to join us at the Climate Festival and explore the talks, exhibitions, and activities before submitting an entry.
What is it?
For the second year, we are hosting a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 students to enter one of a range of creative and research-based projects on the following themes:
- Climate Justice & Inequality
- Futures & Adaptation
- Nature & Biodiversity
- Energy & Transition
- Youth, Community & Voice
Entries must be submitted individually and may take the form of standalone work or an early-stage Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) component, such as a chapter, artefact, or research task.
Prize Categories
- Best Research or Analytical Project (essays, reports, small-scale research, data-led work)
- Best Creative or Artistic Response (artwork, poetry, performance, creative writing)
- Best Digital or Media Submission (short film, podcast, digital artefact)
- Best Community, Campaign, or Action Project (campaigns, conservation initiatives, community work)
- Commendations for Notable Achievement (a flexible category allowing judges to recognise further strong submissions)
What are the prizes?
- Each named category winner receives a £50-75 book voucher
- Commended students receive a £25 book voucher
(Exact number of category winners can vary depending on volume and diversity of entries.)
Additional Non-Monetary Opportunities
Selected winners and commendations may also be invited to:
- Take part in a short online feedback session with members of the Environmental Education Team
- Attend a 20–30-minute meeting with a Programme Director for personalised academic or UCAS guidance
- Have their work featured on Birkbeck’s website, social media, or Climate Festival materials
Submission Formats
Formats could be one of the following:
- Essays or reports (approx. 1,500–2,000 words) )
- Scientific investigations or small-scale research projects
- Policy proposals or analytical studies
- Artwork, poetry, or performance pieces
- Short films, podcasts, or digital artefacts (3–5 minutes)
- Community or campaign projects
- Biodiversity or conservation initiatives.
All submissions must be sent to: env-ed@bbk.ac.uk. Submissions may be sent as attachments or via shareable links.
Deadline for Entries
Friday 22 May 2026.
“This competition is about recognising the creativity, curiosity and environmental leadership already emerging among young people,” said Dr Steve Willey, Co-Academic Director of Environmental Education Projects. “We want to give students a platform to share ideas and connect with university researchers.”
“Birkbeck experts and students share their opinions on a diverse range of thought-provoking topics” really stood out to me, as it highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to complex issues like climate and environment. I’ve noticed that initiatives like the Climate & Environment Prize can be a great way to encourage students to think creatively about these challenges, and I think it’s interesting that it’s an EPQ-aligned challenge – this kind of alignment can be really beneficial for students, especially in the context of the Bologna Process and its emphasis on harmonizing higher education systems. The parallel between such initiatives and the Indian National Education Policy’s focus on interdisciplinary learning is something I’ve been thinking about, particularly in terms of how digital adoption can facilitate this kind of learning. I wonder how the prize will be received by Year 12 students, and what kind of creative or research-based work they will submit – will it spark a new wave of young environmental leaders?