The FAO Award for Innovation is a prestigious international recognition celebrating transformative innovations in the agricultural and food sector. The award aims to acknowledge institutions, organizations, and individuals that have developed groundbreaking approaches contributing to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. Through this award, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the critical role of innovative solutions in enhancing food production, processing, trade, and consumption while fostering sustainability across the entire supply chain.

Background and Purpose of the FAO Award for Innovation

Agrifood systems worldwide are evolving rapidly, demanding new solutions to address challenges like climate change, food security, supply chain inefficiencies, and equitable access to resources. The FAO Award for Innovation is designed to identify and recognize remarkable innovations that make tangible impacts on communities, economies, and ecosystems. The award encourages creativity, fosters knowledge-sharing, and inspires the replication of effective strategies globally.

FAO’s innovation mandate includes supporting initiatives that enhance the link between farmers and consumers, improve traceability of agricultural products, promote sustainability in food systems, and strengthen inclusive participation, particularly of youth (under 35), women, and marginalized groups.

Eligibility Criteria

The FAO Award for Innovation is open to a wide range of applicants, including:

• Institutions and organizations: National, regional, or international entities actively engaged in the agrifood sector.

• Individuals: Innovators, researchers, and practitioners contributing significantly to agrifood systems.

• Non-state partners: Civil society groups, private sector entities, academic institutions, or research organizations.

• FAO employees: Internal staff demonstrating exceptional innovative projects.

Innovation-Specific Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate how their innovation contributes to FAO’s mandate and meets at least one of the following:

• Creates an impact across multiple levels of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers.

• Strengthens the link between farmers and consumers, such as through sustainable product labeling or innovative institutional mechanisms.

General Evaluation Criteria

In addition to award-specific criteria, submissions will be assessed based on:

• Quality and merit of the innovation

• Potential benefit, impact, and sustainability

• Scalability of the innovation

• Value for money

• Inclusion of youth, women, and/or marginalized groups in the initiative

Program Details

The FAO Award for Innovation recognizes achievements made during the biennium preceding the current award cycle. Recipients gain not only the prestige associated with the award but also opportunities to share their practices and solutions on an international stage. The award ceremony will be hosted by the FAO Director-General during the 181st session of the FAO Council, scheduled for 30 November–6 December 2026.

The award emphasizes innovations that deliver practical solutions to pressing global challenges in agrifood systems. By rewarding these initiatives, FAO encourages continuous improvement and replication of best practices globally.

How to Apply / Nomination Process

To participate in the FAO Award for Innovation:

1. Prepare a nomination proposal: The submission should highlight the innovation’s impact, scalability, sustainability, and inclusivity.

2. Submit through FAO Representatives:

   • If your country has an accredited FAO Representative, proposals should be sent to them.

   • For countries without an accredited FAO Representative, submissions should go to FAO Regional or Subregional Representatives.

3. Screening and Evaluation: FAO’s Awards Secretariat will review proposals to ensure alignment with award criteria.

Important Dates

The FAO Award for Innovation offers an unparalleled opportunity for institutions, organizations, and individuals to gain recognition for their contributions to sustainable agrifood systems. By celebrating innovative practices that strengthen supply chains, enhance sustainability, and empower youth, women, and marginalized communities, this award plays a vital role in promoting global food security and inclusive economic development. Innovators worldwide are encouraged to submit their applications and be part of a transformative movement reshaping the future of agriculture.

 FAO Award for Innovation Application Portal