FAO International Innovation Award 2026 for Sustainable Food and Agriculture – USD 10,000 Prize

Applications are now open for the FAO International Innovation Award 2026, an international recognition programme designed to reward ground-breaking innovations in sustainable food and agriculture systems.

The award is organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and targets innovations that align with FAO’s mandate, including food security, nutrition, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive food systems.

Eligible nominees may include institutions, organizations, individuals, research bodies, civil society groups, private sector entities, international or regional organizations, and FAO employees whose work demonstrates measurable impact.

About the FAO Award for Innovation

The FAO Award for Innovation recognizes initiatives that deliver practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions across the food and agriculture value chain — from production to consumption.

Winning innovations must show clear evidence of impact and relevance within the biennium preceding the award year, with strong potential for replication or expansion.

FAO International Innovation Award 2026 Requirements

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the FAO International Innovation Award 2026, the nominated institution or organization must demonstrate successful contributions to at least one area under FAO’s mandate.

Award-Specific Criteria

Eligible innovations should meet one or more of the following:

• Demonstrate impact across multiple levels of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers

• Strengthen the connection between farmers and consumers, such as through:

  • Sustainability tracking systems

  • Product labelling innovations

  • Institutional or market-based mechanisms that improve transparency and trust

General Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will also be assessed based on:

• Quality and originality of the innovation

• Potential benefits, long-term impact, and sustainability

• Scalability and replicability across regions or systems

• Value for money

• Inclusion and leadership of:

  • Youth (under 35 years)

  • Women

  • Marginalized or underserved groups

Benefits of the FAO International Innovation Award

USD 10,000 Cash Prize

The award winner receives a USD 10,000 cash prize, intended to support further development, implementation, or scaling of the innovation.

Official FAO Recognition

Award recipients gain international recognition from FAO, including acknowledgment during official United Nations and FAO events.

Global Visibility

Winning innovations are promoted across FAO communication channels and partner networks, increasing exposure to donors, development partners, investors, and collaborators worldwide.

Policy Influence and Global Engagement

Selected innovations may be showcased to global policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders involved in transforming food systems and advancing sustainable agriculture.

FAO International Innovation Award 2026 Selection Process

• Nominations must be submitted through national, regional, or global institutions

• Submissions should be routed via:

  • FAO Representatives (in countries with accredited FAO offices), or

  • FAO Regional or Subregional Representatives (in countries without an accredited FAO office)

• Approved nominations are forwarded to the FAO Awards Secretariat for evaluation

The award will be formally presented by the FAO Director-General during a special ceremony at the 181st Session of the FAO Council, scheduled for 30 November – 6 December 2026 in Rome.

FAO International Innovation Award 2026 Application Timeline

• December 2025 – Call for nominations opens

• February 2026 – Call for nominations closes

• March – April 2026 – Screening and evaluation

• May 2026 – Selection of award winner

• December 2026 – Award ceremony

Recommended: NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship Award 2025: Eligibility, Requirements, and How to Apply

How to Apply for the FAO International Innovation Award 2026

Interested and eligible institutions should review full guidelines and submit nominations through FAO’s official awards platform:

Apply here: https://www.fao.org/fao-awards/innovation/about/en

Only nominations submitted through the appropriate FAO channels will be considered.

Join us on WhatsApp