Deadline Date: February 15, 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has established the FAO Award for Innovation to recognise ground-breaking innovation in areas under FAO’s mandate across agrifood systems.
The focus areas, and themes of this opportunity are demonstrate impact on more than one level of the supply chain, from small-scale agricultural producers to consumers, strengthen the link between small-scale producers and consumers through innovative mechanisms such as innovative institutional arrangements, policy and financial mechanisms, social processes, innovative technological solutions including digital tools, innovation hubs, platforms connecting producers and consumers, innovative ways of access to markets and consumers, quality and merit of the innovation, potential benefit, impact and sustainability, accessibility and affordability of the innovation, scalability, value for money, and the role of youth (under 35), and/or women, and/or marginalized groups. The FAO Award for Innovation was established by decision of the FAO Conference to acknowledge innovations that contribute to food security and nutrition, economic development, resilience to shocks, environmental sustainability, and sustainable natural resource management. The award is open to a broad spectrum of awardees, including FAO Members and non-state partners.The nature of the award includes a scroll describing the recipient’s achievements and a cash prize of USD 10,000.
Agricultural innovation under this award is understood as the process by which individuals or organizations introduce new or existing products, processes, or ways of organization into use for the first time in a specific context. These innovations aim to increase effectiveness, competitiveness, resilience, or environmental sustainability, while addressing challenges across agrifood systems.
Innovation may involve solving existing problems in new ways, applying proven solutions to new problems, or introducing new solutions in new contexts. The award recognises a wide range of innovations, including technological innovations such as digital and biotechnological solutions, as well as social, financial, policy, and institutional innovations, and sustainable production practices such as agroecology and new business models.
Eligibility extends to Members, institutions, individuals, international and regional organizations, academic or research entities, civil society organizations, and private sector entities whose innovations fall within FAO’s mandate.
