Selection Process
From #ZeroCall Nominations to Zero Project Awardees
Engaging with hundreds of experts from the global network
Over several months, hundreds of people worldwide are involved in reviewing and selecting those nominations that stand out for their innovation, impact, and scalability.
Together with the Zero Project's research team they engage in screening against formal criteria, peer review, voting, and fact checking.
Milestones
1 - A global call for nominations
The Zero Project Call for Nominations (#ZeroCall) opens in May every year. At the same time, criteria for nomination and selection are published on the Zero Project's website. By the beginning of July, the Call for Nominations is closed.
Between 2013 and 2024, a total number of 3,665 nominations have been received.
2 - Screening of nominations against formal criteria
In an initial review, the Zero Project Team and Partners identify those projects that meet this year´s criteria and all other formal criteria. All nominations must be innovative, impactful, and scalable.
Criteria also include various other factors, for instance whether actual work on the ground has taken place, or if there is a continuation plan for projects with a scheduled end date.
3 - Peer review with hundreds of experts
During the peer review, the Zero Project Team engages with hundreds of experts with and without disabilities of the global and cross-sectoral Zero Project Network.
In dedicated sessions, peer-review experts also participate in a voting process to identify Zero Project Awardees among the shortlisted innovations.
4 - Shortlist Announcement
In August every year, the Zero Project publishes a shortlist of around 150 nominations.
Shortlisted nominations receive the Zero Project Shortlist Badge, certifying their achievement of reaching the Shortlist Stage. Moreover, all of them will receive an exclusive invitation to the annual Zero Project Conference, which is hosted at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.
The Zero Project Conference 2026 (#ZeroCon26) will be held February 18-20, 2026.
5 - Fact-checking
In a final step, the Zero Project's research team goes through an intensive fact-checking process to verify all data included in the Awardee fact sheets, which are published as part of the Awardee Announcement.
6 - Awardee Announcement
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd, the Zero Project announces the cohort of around 70 Zero Project Awardees.