The MDPI Sustainability Foundation supports societally-relevant research that contributes to regional and global efforts toward a sustainable world, and promotes scientific dialogue and the exchange of information.

The Foundation offers two awards in the field of sustainability: the World Sustainability Award and the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award.

Both awards honors a unique, sustained, and outstanding achievement based on strong pure or applied research in any appropriate discipline related to sustainability.

The three pillars of sustainability are defined as:

• social, including standard of living, education, community, and equal opportunity;
• environmental, including natural resource use, environmental management, and pollution prevention; and,
• economic, including profit, cost savings, and economic growth.

Achievements should address at least two of the pillars of sustainability and demonstrate measurable impact.

Nominees for the World Sustainability Award may be senior individual researchers or groups of researchers from the international research community. Self-nominations are not accepted for this award.

Nominees for the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award may be individual researchers or start-ups founded by researchers under the age of 35. Candidates may be nominated by third parties or self-nominated.