Borlaug Field Award 2026

🏆 About the Award

The Borlaug Field Award is a prestigious international honor recognizing exceptional, science-driven achievement in agriculture and food production.

Sponsor Organization:

• World Food Prize Foundation

🎁 Benefits

The Borlaug Field Award provides:

• USD 10,000 in funding.
• Financial support for the recipient’s ongoing field research and application work.
• Global recognition through the World Food Prize platform.
• Participation in World Food Prize events and networking opportunities.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Criteria for the Award:

Candidates will be evaluated based on attributes and accomplishments that reflect those demonstrated by Dr. Borlaug during his work in field research and application, including:

• Persistence: Exhibiting Dr. Borlaug’s “never give up” attitude, even in the face of adversity, difficult circumstances, limitation of resources, and/or critique from colleagues.
• Innovation: Pursuing innovative pathways, methods, and solutions to provide adequate food and nutrition for the world’s people.
• Communication: Understanding local cultures, working effectively in cross-cultural situations, and connecting with diverse stakeholders.
• Research/Science: Facilitating positive change through rigorous research methods and strategies that result in increased food production and better nutrition.
• Extension: Extending innovative discoveries and technologies in plant science, animal science, and/or food science to underserved farmers and consumers.
• Education: Providing hands-on science training and education to stakeholders in rural communities.
• Application: Applying improved technologies and/or management systems for sustainable production, more nutritious food, and poverty reduction.
• Leadership: Demonstrating leadership in collaborative programs aimed at reducing hunger and poverty.
• Impact: Increasing the amount of food available through all of the above efforts.

Nominee Eligibility:

• Nominees must be under the age of 40 (40th birthday not reached before World Food Day, October 16, of the award year).
• Nominees must be actively working in the discipline, research area, position, or project(s) for which they are being recognized.
• Nominees remain eligible for consideration beyond the year of their nomination, as long as the award criteria and age requirement are met.
• The award is intended to be presented to one person. In rare circumstances, another person may share the award for pronounced collaborative efforts and achievement.

📄 Nomination Documentation

All nominations must be submitted in English online at www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaugfieldawardsubmissionform.

Required Documentation:

1. Statement (3000-word limit):
   • Details of the nominee’s work and accomplishments.
   • How the nominee reflects the attributes demonstrated by Dr. Borlaug.
   • Impact or results of the nominee’s work.
2. Curriculum Vitae or resume, including:
   • Date of birth.
   • Country of origin.
   • Education and professional background.
3. Letters of Support:
   • One nomination letter.
   • Two letters of support emphasizing the nominee’s achievements.
   • Do not submit more than two support letters.
4. Photos:
   • A headshot of the nominee (minimum 300 dpi resolution).
   • Two additional action photos of the nominee at work (optional).

🌍 Nomination and Selection Process

Who Can Nominate:

• Any individual or organization may submit a nomination. Nomination letters from organizations must be signed by an executive officer.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators should have direct knowledge of the nominee’s work and provide specific examples aligning with the award criteria.
• Letters of support may come from individuals or organizations with direct or basic knowledge of the nominee's work.

Requirements of the Nominee:

• Selected individuals must attend the award ceremony and participate in media events and other World Food Prize events in mid-October in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
• The World Food Prize Foundation will provide roundtrip air transportation, meals, and lodging for the award winner.

Award Jury:

• An independent jury of international agricultural experts, chaired by Dr. Ronnie Coffman, will review nominations and select the winner.
• Communication with jury members or The Rockefeller Foundation may result in disqualification.

📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 01 June, 2026
• Award Announcement: August/September 2026
• Award Presentation: During World Food Prize Week events in Des Moines, Iowa, on or near World Food Day, October 16.

🌐 Application Process

To apply, visit the official nomination portal: World Food Prize Foundation Borlaug Field Award Nomination Procedure.

Submit your nomination online at www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaugfieldawardsubmissionform.

🌟 Additional Information

Nomination criteria are available in multiple languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Japanese
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Swahili

This opportunity is a remarkable chance to honor and support individuals making a significant impact in agriculture and food production. Apply now to be part of this prestigious recognition!

• USD 10,000 in funding
• Financial support for the recipient’s ongoing field research and application work
• Global recognition through the World Food Prize platform
• Participation in World Food Prize events and networking opportunities