The call for applications will be open from 23 September to 23 October 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Fundación Lealtad continues to oversee the technical secretariat.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation, with the support of Telefónica as main sponsor and the collaboration of Fundación Lealtad, responsible for the technical secretariat, announces the opening of the 5th Call for Applications for the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards. For the past five years, this initiative has recognised the commitment and work of social organisations striving to build a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society.
Over the course of the first four editions, these Awards have recognised 20 social organisations for their transformative projects, allocating a total of €300,000 in prize money to support their development. This track record reflects the richness and diversity of the third sector, as well as the value of initiatives working every day to generate a positive impact on people’s lives and their communities.
Five categories to transform society
Participating organisations may submit their projects to one of the five categories established in the call’s rules:
- Education
- Environmental Action
- Health and Well-being
- Innovation and Research
- Development Cooperation
These categories recognise a wide range of initiatives that contribute to improving society and creating opportunities for people.
20 organisations recognised in the first four editions
Over the course of its first four editions, the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards have recognised 20 social organisations for their projects:
1st edition
Casal dels Infants, Asociación El Arca, Fundación Lo Que De Verdad Importa, Mamás en Acción and Fundación Kirira.
2nd edition
Fundació La Vinya, Fundación RANA, Fundación Miradas, Fundación Cudeca and CIM Burkina.
3rd edition
Fundación Soñar Despierto, Fundación Privada Integra Pirineus, Fundación Canis Majoris, ASPAYM Castilla y León and Fundación Pablo Horstmann.
4th edition
Fundación También, Fundación Ecomar, Fundación Unoentrecienmil, Asociación de Voluntarios de Cuidados Paliativos de Illes Balears and Beyond Suncare.
In addition to awards for social projects, the initiative has included special recognitions for individuals and initiatives connected to social impact. In the second edition, the Fit For Life Award was presented to Rai Souza, a former Brazilian footballer and founder of a non-governmental organisation working in Brazil. In the third edition, the recognition went to Aauri Bokesa, a former athlete and anti-racism activist. In the fourth edition, the Transformative Power recognition was awarded to Gira Megacracks, Movistar Inter’s social-impact futsal initiative.
Application deadlines and submission process
The application period will open on 23 September 2026 and close on 23 October 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Interested organisations can consult the full rules and access the project submission form through the Rafa Nadal Foundation website:
In addition, a completely free informative webinar will be held on 7 October, in collaboration with Fundación Lealtad, which continues to oversee the technical secretariat of the call. The session will address participants’ questions and provide practical information about the application process.
Who can participate?
Organisations wishing to apply for the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards must meet the requirements established in the call’s rules:
- Have their registered office and tax domicile in Spain.
- Be registered in the relevant Spanish register as an association, foundation or another type of non-profit legal entity.
- Operate on a non-profit basis.
- Have annual expenditure in the last completed financial year of no more than €5,000,000.
- Be subject to the special tax regime for non-profit organisations established under Law 49/2002 of 23 December on the tax regime for non-profit organisations and tax incentives for sponsorship, or equivalent regional legislation.
- Have completed at least four full years of activity and be up to date with all legal and tax obligations.
Five years recognising social commitment
Over these five years, the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards have received more than 1,000 applications, reflecting the commitment and diversity of the social organisations working every day to improve people’s lives and their communities.
With this fifth edition, the Rafa Nadal Foundation aims to continue expanding participation and discovering new projects that contribute to transforming society. The goal is to continue highlighting valuable initiatives and supporting their development by providing organisations with resources to increase their impact.
The results of the call are expected to be announced, provisionally, in February 2027. The awards ceremony will take place during the second quarter of 2027, with the date and location yet to be confirmed.