The competition is open to individuals (NOT organisations) of any nationality and from anywhere in the world who, through achievements in work or life, have made an exceptional contribution to efforts to alleviate poverty in the developing world.
After the deadline, 31 July 2011, a highly qualified judging panel will select a shortlist of five finalists. Descriptions of the five finalists will be featured on this site and Guardian readers and site visitors will be invited to vote for the one they think most deserves the award. The public voting process will run between 5 September - 26 September 2011.
The winner will be announced jointly with the winners of the Guardian International Development Journalism Competition 2011 at an awards ceremony in London.
