Deadline: May 1, 2025
Applications are open for the World Food Prize 2026. The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the accomplishments of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world.
Fields of achievement include but are not limited to: soil and land; plant and animal science; food science and technology; nutrition; rural development; marketing; food processing, packaging and storage; water and the environment; natural resource conservation; physical infrastructure; transportation and distribution; special or extraordinary feeding programs; social organization and poverty elimination; economics and finance; policy analysis and implementation; and public advocacy.
Prize
- The World Food Prize is a $500,000 award formally presented at the Laureate Award Ceremony in mid-October, on or around World Food Day, in conjunction with the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium.
Eligibility
- Any academic institution, private or public organization, or governmental unit may submit a nomination for the World Food Prize. Any such entity may submit as many nominations as it sees fit.
- All nominations are confidential, and the identities of the nominators and the nominating organization are kept in strict confidence. Individuals may generate nominations, but the nomination must be endorsed by, and submitted through, an academic institution, private or public organization, or governmental unit.
- Self-nominations will not be considered.
Selection Criteria
The World Food Prize is awarded for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement that advances human development with a demonstrable increase in the quantity, quality, availability of, or access to food through creative interventions at any point within the full scope of the food system.
- This exceptionally significant achievement must be shown to have resulted in a demonstrable increase in the quantity, quality, availability of, or access to food for a large number of people.
- The impact of this achievement must be measurable, quantifiable, or otherwise demonstrated either in terms of reduced poverty, hunger, or suffering; or enhanced health, nutrition, quality of life and well-being.
- It must be clearly shown that this increase in food security was the direct result of the specific actions and activities of the nominee; i.e., without his or her specific accomplishment, no change would have occurred.
- A nominee must be living and in sufficiently good health to attend the World Food Prize Award Ceremony. The nominee must be able to give an acceptance speech and agree to participate in selected media events and the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute at the time of the Award Ceremony.
- The Prize is intended to be awarded to one person. In exceptional circumstances where an additional person (or persons) has collaborated in an indispensable way, more than one person may be included in the nomination. However, it must be demonstrated conclusively that each person contributed in an essential way, and that without each individual’s contribution, no achievement would have been possible. The World Food Prize Selection Committee will determine whether a joint nomination meets these criteria, and in cases where it judges this standard has not been met, to limit the number of persons being considered.
Nomination
The following list details the information that will be required.
- Nominator Information: Name(s) of the person(s) submitting the nomination, the name of the nominating organization, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number. The nomination must be endorsed by a senior official of the nominating organization, certifying the accuracy of the information.
- Nominee Information: Nominee’s name, current position, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, date and country of birth, and citizenship.
- Biographical Information: A resume or CV detailing the nominee’s positions held, education, professional affiliations, honors and awards.
- Photograph: Photo of the nominee.
- Synopsis: In 150 words or less, why the nominee should be awarded the World Food Prize.
- Statement of Achievement: In no more than two pages, describe the nominee’s specific achievement. The nominee should be nominated for one specific, measurable and sustainable achievement which has significantly increased the quality, quantity, availability of, or access to food.
- Statement of Impact: In no more than two pages, describe the impact of the nominee’s achievement in terms of enhanced health, nutrition and quality of life, or reduced levels of poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The Statement should clearly summarize:
- the number of people affected;
- the geographical boundaries of the impact; and
- the effect over time on the well-being of the people affected.
- Seconding Nominations: A signed and dated letter seconding the nomination must be provided from at least two individuals who are familiar with the nominee’s work, but who are not directly associated with the nominating organization. Letters seconding the nomination should ideally provide additional information regarding the nominee’s achievement as well as its impact on the people affected.
- Supporting Documents: Documents should be provided that support the nomination. These may include: news or journal articles describing the nominee’s achievements and the impact of his or her work; and publications by or about the nominee that directly relate to the achievement. Please send only digital copies of each document.
For more information, visit World Food Prize.
