The World Food Prize Foundation annually awards the World Food Prize to individuals with outstanding contributions. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their exceptional contributions to advancing human development through innovative interventions within the global food system. Established to celebrate achievements that significantly enhance food quality, quantity, accessibility, or availability, the prize aims to acknowledge impactful efforts addressing crucial issues such as poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

The World Food Prize serves as a beacon of recognition for those tirelessly working toward global food security. It represents an opportunity to celebrate and amplify impactful contributions in the field.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
• Funding Type: Partially Funded
• Organizer: World Food Prize Foundation
• Eligible Countries: Open to nominations from all countries
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Individuals with exceptional achievements in various food security and agriculture fields.
• Focus Area: Various fields within the food system, including soil and land, plant and animal science, food technology, nutrition, rural development, and more.
• Number of Opportunity: One recipient
• Ceremony Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA

The Award Cateogories

Categories to win the World Food Prize include:

• Nutrition/Public Health
• Plant/Seed Science
• Animal Science/ Aquaculture
• Public Policy
• Climate, Soil, Water, and Natural Resource Conservation
• Crop Protection/ Agricultural Technology
• Food Technology, Storage, and Safety
• Economics, Finance, and Markets
• Infrastructure/ Distribution
• Research Administration
• Humanitarian Leadership

Benefits and Prizes

The winner will benefit from the prize as follows:

• Announcement: The Laureate is announced in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
• Award Ceremony: Honored at the prestigious Laureate Award Ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, during the Borlaug Dialogue.
• Monetary Prize: Receives $500,000 for outstanding contributions to global food security.
• Global Recognition: Gains international prestige, highlighting their impact on agriculture and food security.
• Presentation: Showcases their work at the Borlaug Dialogue, engaging with global experts and policymakers.
• Media Exposure: Achievements are widely publicized, attracting further support and collaboration.
• Networking: Connects with past Laureates and key figures in food and agriculture.
• Enduring Legacy: Solidifies their influence in advancing food security and inspiring future efforts.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the nomination requirements:

• Nominees must be living individuals in good health who can attend the World Food Prize Award Ceremony.
• The achievement of being nominated must have led to a demonstrable increase in food quantity, quality, availability, or access for many.
• Academic institutions, private or public organizations, or governmental units may submit a nomination.
• Self-nominations are not accepted; nominations must be endorsed and submitted through an appropriate organization.

Required Documents

Please submit these documents for the World Food Prize nomination:

• Nominator Information: Name(s), organization, address, email, phone; must be endorsed by a senior official.
• Nominee Information: Name, position, address, email, phone, birth date, citizenship
• Biographical Information: Resume/CV detailing positions, education, affiliations, and
• Photograph: Nominee’s photo.
• Synopsis: Why should the nominee receive the prize in 150 words or less?
• Statement of Achievement: Describe specific, measurable achievement in 2 pages.
• Statement of Impact: Describe the impact in 2 pages, including the number of people affected, geographical boundaries, and effect over time.
• Seconding Nominations: Signed letters from at least two individuals familiar with the nominee’s work, providing additional information.
• Supporting Documents: Digital copies of news articles, publications, etc., supporting the nomination.
• Format: Submit all text documents in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Selection Process and Criteria

Nominations and all supporting documents must be submitted by May 1, 2025, for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The World Food Prize Secretariat ensures that nominations meet eligibility requirements before forwarding them to the Selection Committee, which recommends a recipient and first alternate. The Foundation’s Board and Council of Advisors give final approval.

The Selection Committee consists of experts in agriculture, food security, nutrition, and environmental science. Members remain anonymous, except for the Chairman, Dr. Gebisa Ejeta. The Foundation’s President serves as a non-voting advisor but does not influence the decision.

Selection Criteria:

• Impact: The number of people affected and the significance of the achievement.
• Complexity and Innovation: The difficulty of the problem addressed and the ingenuity in solving it.
• Collaboration and Geographic Balance: Consideration for diverse global contributions and teamwork across political boundaries.
• Recognition Across the Food System: Ensuring all aspects, from production to distribution, are acknowledged over time.

In exceptional cases, the Prize may be shared by individuals who made simultaneous, independent contributions or whose work collectively impacted a common region or cause.

How to Apply?

• Nominations submission is online via the nomination form provided below.
• You should include all required documents and endorsements for a nomination to be considered complete.
• The nomination submission must be by the specified deadline for consideration.

Nominate Now

You may find further details regarding the World Food Prize on the official website of the World Food Foundation.

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