Deadline: February 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) Innovation Award 2026. Innovation is changing the way food is produced, processed, traded and consumed and building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The FAO Award for Innovation recognizes ground-breaking innovations in areas under FAO’s mandate to Members or non-state partners, including institutions, individuals, international/regional organizations, academic or research entities, civil society groups, private sector entities and FAO employees.
Award
Award includes:
- A scroll describing the recipient’s achievements and/or award,
- A cash prize of USD $10,000
Eligibility
- The FAO Award for Innovation will be conferred for ground-breaking innovation in areas under FAO’s mandate to a broad spectrum of awardees, including Members, institutions, individuals, international/regional organizations, academic or research entities, civil society organizations private sector entities.
- The Award will recognise, but not be limited to, all types of innovations in agrifood systems, technological (including digital and biotechnological innovations) as well as social, financial, policy, and institutional innovations. It will also cover sustainable production practices such as agroecology, new approaches, new business models, etc. The innovations may fall under various categories including technological, institutional, social, policy, and financial innovations.
Criteria
Award specific criteria
- Demonstrate impact on more than one level of the supply chain, from small-scale agricultural producers (e.g. farmers, herders, fishers) to consumers.
- Strengthen the link between small-scale producers and consumers through innovative mechanisms such as innovative institutional arrangements, policy and financial mechanisms, social processes, innovative technological solutions including digital tools, innovation hubs, platforms connecting producers and consumers, innovative ways of access to markets and consumers etc.,) with due consideration to environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability.
General criteria
- Quality and merit of the innovation
- Potential benefit, impact and sustainability
- Accessibility and affordability of the innovation
- Scalability
- Value for money
- Role of youth (under 35), and/or women, and/or marginalized groups
Application
For more information, visit Innovation Award.
