Des Moines, Iowa – Nominations are now open for the 2027 World Food Prize, the preeminent international award for food and agriculture. The $500,000 award recognizes significant contributions in any field involved in the global food supply system.
Most recently, the award was presented to Brazilian soil scientist Mariangela Hungria for her extraordinary advancements in biological nitrogen fixation, transforming the sustainability of soil health and crop nutrition for tropical agriculture. Each year the Laureate is honored in a ceremony held in parallel with the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, a globally renowned high-level event focusing on cutting-edge issues in food security and agriculture.
To date, 56 individuals have been named World Food Prize Laureates over its 40-year history, from farmers and scientists, to policy makers and humanitarians. Recent past winners include Geoffrey Hawtin and Cary Fowler (2024) for their extraordinary leadership in preserving and protecting the world’s heritage of crop biodiversity and mobilizing defenses against threats to global food security, Lawrence Haddad and David Nabarro (2018), for their global leadership in elevating maternal and child undernutrition to a central issue at national and international levels, Bob Dole and George McGovern (2008) for their leadership in getting a global commitment to school feeding, Jo Luck for her work building Heifer International into one of the world’s premier hunger fighting non-profit organizations and Akinwumi Adesina (2017) for his decades of dedication to transforming African agriculture from increasing production to thwarting corruption.
“At a time when the global food system faces unprecedented challenges, the World Food Prize elevates and honors those leaders whose work is improving lives and strengthening food and nutrition security for communities around the world,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “We encourage institutions across sectors and regions to nominate individuals whose contributions are advancing sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems.”
Dr. Borlaug, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in global agriculture, envisioned a prize that would honor those who have made significant and measurable contributions to improving the world’s food supply. Beyond recognizing these people for their personal accomplishments, Dr. Borlaug saw the World Food Prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others. His vision was realized when the World Food Prize was created in 1986.
Any academic institution, private or public organization, or governmental unit may submit a nomination for the World Food Prize. Nomination criteria, the selection procedure, a social media toolkit for promotion and other information can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org/
Nominations will be accepted through May 1, 2026, for the 2027 award.
