The World Food Prize Foundation

Awards & Nominations

World Food Prize

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.

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.

Nominations are sought of an individual or individuals having demonstrated exceptional achievement in any field involved in enhancing food production and distribution and increasing food availability and accessibility to those most in need. Any academic or research institution, private or public organization, corporate entity, or governmental unit may submit a nomination for the World Food Prize until May 1. 

Nomination Procedure    Submit a Nomination

Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation

Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation, this is a $10,000 award to be presented annually to a young extension worker, research scientist, development professional or other individual who best emulates the dedication, perseverance, and innovation demonstrated by Dr. Norman Borlaug while working in the field with farmers in Mexico in the 1940s and '50s. The award will be presented every October in Des Moines, Iowa, by the World Food Prize Foundation.

This award will recognize exceptional, science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under 40 who has clearly demonstrated intellectual courage, stamina, and determination in the fight to eliminate global hunger and poverty.

The award will honor an individual who is working closely and directly “in the field” or at the production or processing level with farmers, animal herders, fishers or others in rural communities, in any discipline or enterprise across the entire food production, processing, and distribution chain. Nominations will be accepted through June 1. 

Nomination Procedure    Submit a Nomination

Norman E. Borlaug Medallion

The Norman E. Borlaug Medallion was created to recognize world leaders and institutions whose actions have benefited mankind but who would not normally be considered for the World Food Prize, which is primarily awarded to science, policy, and development experts for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement along the full range of the food production and distribution chain.

Learn More


Top Agri-food Pioneers​​​​​​​

Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) features pioneers of any age, background or career focus working in fields related to food or agriculture. The annual cohort is honored at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue each October, building a network of trailblazers to facilitate co-learning and collaboration across food systems.

Learn More          Previous TAP Recipients

Innovate for Impact Challenge

Unveiled at the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, the Innovate for Impact Challenge invites forward-thinking entrepreneurs from around the globe to present breakthrough technologies aimed at revolutionizing agriculture. This initiative aligns with the World Food Prize Foundation’s mission to elevate innovations and inspire action toward alleviating global hunger.

Learn More

Youth Awards​​​​​​​

The World Food Prize Foundation recognizes youth involved in Foundation programs, including the Borlaug-Ruan International InternshipUSDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship and Global Challenge research paper.

Learn More

 

Educator Award

In order to acknowledge committed implementing partners, including coordinators and educators, as well as inspire partners to continue working with youth, the World Food Prize Foundation awards the Inspiring the Next Generation Award each year.

Learn More

© 2025 The World Food Prize Foundation. All Rights Reserved.