Apply to the $10,000 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation, which will be presented annually every October in Des Moines, Iowa, by the World Food Prize Foundation.

This award will recognize outstanding, science-driven accomplishments in global agriculture and food production by an individual under 40 who has shown exceptional intellectual courage, resilience, and dedication in the battle against hunger and poverty worldwide.

It will honor someone actively engaged “in the field” or working directly with farmers, herders, fishers, or others in rural areas, across any sector of the food production, processing, and distribution chain.

Key Details

Organized by: World Food Prize Organization
Supported by: Rockefeller Foundation
Nomination Deadline: June 1, 2025
Result Announcement: August or September 2025
Award Ceremony: On or around October 16, 2025 (Word Food Day)

Award Value

The World Food Prize Foundation will give the $10,000 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application every October in Des Moines, Iowa.

Other Benefits:

One award recipient will receive:

• Roundtrip flight transportation from his or her place of employment
• Food and lodging while in Des Moines, courtesy of the World Food Prize Foundation.

Eligibility Criteria

Please review these criteria:

Nominee:

• Nominees must be under 40 (40th birthday not reached before World Food Day, October 16, when the award is presented).
• Nominees must be engaged in the discipline, research area, position, or project(s) they are honored for. They could be affiliated with a public or private educational, research, development agency, and other entities.
• Nominees may be considered for awards beyond the year they were nominated, at the discretion of the Award Jury, until the award criteria and the age requirement are met.
• The prize is meant to be given to just one person. Another individual may share the honor in uncommon and rare instances for significant combined efforts and achievement.

Nominator:

• Anyone or any organization can make a nomination.
• An executive officer must sign organizational nomination letters.
• Self-nominations will be disregarded.
• Nominators should be familiar with the nominee’s work and able to provide several concrete instances demonstrating how the nominee’s accomplishments match the award criteria.
• Individuals or organizations having firsthand knowledge or a basic understanding of the nominee’s work may provide letters of support.

Award Criteria

Candidates will be reviewed and chosen based on the following qualities and accomplishments that Dr. Borlaug has shown during his field research and application work:

• 1. Persistence:
     • Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges and adversity, embodying Dr. Borlaug’s “never give up” attitude.
     • Facing limitations of resources or critique with resilience and determination.
  2. Innovation:
     • Embracing Dr. Borlaug’s “reaching for the stars” philosophy by exploring innovative pathways and methods.
     • Striving for creative solutions to ensure an ample food and nutrition supply worldwide.
  3. Communication:
     • Following Dr. Borlaug’s example of understanding local cultures and effectively collaborating across diverse disciplines.
     • Identifying community needs, connecting with stakeholders, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation.
  4. Research/Science:
     • Driving positive change through rigorous research methods and management approaches.
     • Increasing food production, availability, distribution, and nutrition through scientific strategies.
  5. Extension:
     • Extending innovative plant, animal, and food science discoveries to underserved farmers and consumers.
     • Ensuring that advancements in technology reach those who need them most.
  6. Education:
     • Providing hands-on science training and education to rural stakeholders, including farm families and agricultural workers.
     • Empowering communities through knowledge dissemination.
  7. Application:
     • Implementing improved technologies and management systems for sustainable crop and animal production.
     • Working towards the reduction of poverty and the production of more nutritious food.
  8. Leadership:
     • Leading collaborative programs with agricultural professionals, researchers, and practitioners.
     • Spearheading efforts to reduce hunger and poverty and revitalize communities.
  9. Impact:
     • Making a tangible difference by increasing the quantity of available food.
     • Following Dr. Borlaug’s legacy of “putting more food on the plate” and creating a lasting impact on global food security.

Required Documents & Information:

• A concise statement (max. 3000 words) explaining and describing:
  1) The nominee’s work and accomplishments, with information and examples that illustrate several of the criteria specified for this prize
  2) How the nominee reflects the attributes demonstrated by Dr. Borlaug during his early career in doing this work
  3) The impact or results of the nominee’s work.
• CV of the nominee, including date of birth, country of origin, education, and work experience.
• The nomination must include: 
• Nomination letter
  2 letters of support detailing, summarizing, and underlining the nominee’s key accomplishments.
• Pictures: A headshot image of the nominee (Resolution: 300 DPI)
  2 more action photos of the nominee at work may also be provided.

The Nominee’s Requirements:

Individuals chosen for the award must attend the award ceremony, media events, and other World Food Prize events in mid-October in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.

How to nominate for the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application?

All suggestions must be made in English and submitted online through the link below.

Nominate Now

Refer to the World Food Prize Foundation’s website for further information

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