$10,000 FAO Prize for food system innovation: Apply now

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the FAO Award for Innovation to recognise outstanding solutions that drive transformation across global agrifood systems.

Contents

Aim Funding details Eligibility Evaluation criteria Deadline

Aim

The award celebrates innovations that generate measurable impact across multiple levels of the food supply chain, from smallholder producers to end consumers.

Particular emphasis is placed on initiatives that strengthen producer–consumer linkages through new technologies, policies, financial instruments, institutional frameworks or social processes.

For the purpose of this award, innovation is defined as the introduction of new or adapted products, processes or organisational methods applied for the first time within a specific context.

Eligible innovations may include digital tools, agroecological practices, policy or financing models, and business approaches or platforms that expand market access and improve system efficiency.

Funding details

Recipients of the FAO Award for Innovation will receive an official scroll recognising their achievement, alongside a cash prize of $10,000.

Beyond financial support, the award offers global visibility and recognition within international agrifood, development and policy circles.

Eligibility

Nominations are open to a broad range of actors working within FAO’s mandate, including:

FAO Member States
International, regional and national institutions
Individual innovators
Academic and research organisations
Civil society organisations
Private sector entities

Evaluation criteria

Submissions will be assessed based on quality, merit and demonstrated real-world impact. Key evaluation criteria include sustainability, affordability, scalability, value for money and long-term benefits for food systems.

Strong consideration is given to innovations that actively involve youth under 35, women and marginalised groups.