The 2026 FAO International Innovation Award is currently inviting applications to recognize ground-breaking innovations that fall under the Food and Agriculture Organization's mandate. This prestigious award is designed to honor institutions, individuals, international and regional organizations, academic or research entities, civil society groups, private sector entities, and FAO employees who have developed solutions to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. By highlighting these advancements, the program seeks to transform how food is produced, processed, traded, and consumed on a global scale.
Core Award Criteria
• Impact on multiple levels of the supply chain, spanning from farmers to the end consumers.
• Strengthening the connection between farmers and consumers through innovative institutional mechanisms or tracking sustainability features on traded products.
• High quality and merit of the innovation itself.
• Demonstrated potential for significant benefit, impact, and long-term sustainability.
• Scalability of the innovation to other contexts or regions.
• Proven value for money in the implementation of the solution.
• Active role and inclusion of youth (under the age of 35), women, and marginalized groups.
Program Benefits
• A cash prize of USD 10,000 awarded to eligible winners to facilitate the further development or scaling of their innovation.
• Official international recognition from the FAO, including potential features during key United Nations gatherings such as the FAO Council session in Rome.
• Enhanced global visibility through FAO’s official channels and partner networks, increasing exposure to potential donors and collaborators.
• Opportunities for policy influence by showcasing innovations to global policymakers and institutions focused on sustainable food systems.
Selection and Nomination Process
• Nominations must be presented by national, regional, or global institutions.
• Proposals should be submitted to FAO Representatives in countries with an accredited representative, or to Regional and Subregional Representatives in countries without one.
• The Awards Secretariat handles the final submission of these nominations.
• The award focuses on activities and programs that have shown remarkable achievements during the biennium preceding the current one.
• The Director-General will present the award during a special ceremony at the 181st session of the FAO Council, scheduled for November 30 to December 6, 2026.
Application Timeline
• December 2025: Official call for nominations opens.
• February 2026: Deadline for the close of the call.
• March/April 2026: Screening phase for all submitted proposals.
• May 2026: Final selection of the award winners.
• December 2026: Official award ceremony.
Historical Context: Previous Winners
• 2024 Winner: Freza Nanotech Limited (Uganda), recognized for an emission-free, nanotechnology-based fruit preservation solution that extends shelf life by up to 30 days and reduces postharvest losses.
• 2022 Winner: Pinduoduo Inc., recognized for bridging the gap between academic research and real-world agricultural technology to increase smallholder farmer incomes and vitalize rural economies.
For those interested in learning more about the submission requirements and the impact of this program, further details are available through the official FAO International Innovation Award webpage. This platform serves as a vital resource for understanding how innovation continues to shape the future of global agrifood systems and provides the necessary guidance for the upcoming 2026 nomination cycle.