Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research & Application 2023 (up to $10,000)

The Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research & Application 2023 is now accepting applications. This honor will be given to a person under the age of 40 who has made significant scientific advancements in the fields of worldwide agricultural and food production and who has shown intellectual fortitude, perseverance, and tenacity in the struggle to end world hunger and poverty.

The recipient of the award will be someone who works closely and directly “in the field,” at the production or processing level, with farmers, animal herders, fishers, or other members of rural communities, in any industry or discipline, along the entire food production, processing, and distribution chain.

Awardees emulate the same intellectual courage, stamina and determination in the fight to eliminate
global hunger and poverty demonstrated by Dr. Norman Borlaug as a young scientist working in Mexico
in the 1940s and ’50s.

Award:

• The award comes with $10,000.
• To receive the award, individuals selected must attend the award ceremony and also
  participate in media events and other World Food Prize events in mid-October in Des
  Moines, Iowa, United States. The World Food Prize Foundation will provide roundtrip air
  transportation for one award winner from his or her place of employment, as well as meals
  and lodging while in Des Moines.

Eligibility:

Nominators

• Nominees must be under the age of 40 (40th birthday not reached before World Food Day,
  October 16, of the year in which the award is presented).
• Nominees must be actively working in the discipline, research area, position, or on the
  project(s) for which they are being recognized. They may be associated with a public or
  private educational, research or development organization or related entity.
• Nominees remain eligible for consideration beyond the year of their nomination, at the
  discretion of the Award Jury, as long as the award criteria and age requirement are met.
• The award is intended to be presented to one person. In unusual and rare circumstances,
  another person may share the award for pronounced collaborative efforts and achievement.

Nominator

• Any individual or organization may submit a nomination. Nomination letters from
  organizations must be signed by an executive officer. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators should have a direct knowledge of the nominee’s work and should provide a
  number of specific examples, explaining how the nominee’s accomplishments align with the
  award criteria.
• Letters of support may come from individuals or organizations with a direct knowledge or a
  basic understanding of the nominee’s work.

Evaluation Criteria:

Candidates will be evaluated and selected based on the attributes and accomplishments that reflect
those demonstrated by Dr. Borlaug during his work in field research and application, which include:

• Persistence. Exhibiting Dr. Borlaug’s “never give up” attitude, even in the face of adversity,
  difficult circumstances, limitation of resources, and/or critique from colleagues.
• Innovation. Applying Dr. Borlaug’s credo “reach for the stars” in pursuing innovative
  pathways, methods, and solutions in a quest to provide adequate food and nutrition for the
  world’s people.
• Communication. Emulating Dr. Borlaug’s example of understanding local cultures; working
  effectively in cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary situations; identifying the needs and assets of
  people in a given community or region; and connecting with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Research/Science. Facilitating positive change through rigorous research methods,
  techniques, management approaches, and/or strategies that result in increased food
  production, availability, distribution, and/or better nutrition.
• Extension. Extending innovative discoveries and technologies in plant science, animal
  science, and/or food science to underserved farmers and consumers.
• Education. Providing hands-on science training and education to stakeholders in rural
  communities, including farm families and agricultural and food production workers.
• Application. Applying improved technologies and/or management systems to crops and/or
  animal agriculture for sustainable production, more nutritious food, and a reduction of
  poverty.
• Leadership. Demonstrating leadership of other agricultural professionals, field researchers,
  and/or practitioners working in collaborative programs aimed at reducing hunger and
  poverty and revitalizing communities.
• Impact. Increasing the amount of food available through all of the above. Dr. Borlaug was
  always about making a difference and “putting more food on the plate.”

Nomination:

Required Nomination Documentation:

• A concise statement (3000-word limit) explaining and describing:
  • the nominee’s work and accomplishments, with details and examples that
    illustrate several of the criteria specified for this award;
  • how, in doing this work, the nominee reflects the attributes demonstrated by
  • Dr. Borlaug during his early career; and
    the impact or results of the nominee’s work.
• Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae or resume, including date of birth, country of origin, education,
  and professional background.
• One (1) nomination letter and two (2) letters of support describing, explaining and
  emphasizing the main achievements of the nominee must be provided with the
  nomination. Due to the high volume of nominations, do not submit more than two support
  letters.
• Photos: A head shot of the nominee is required (minimum 300 dpi resolution); 2 additional
  action photos of the nominee at work may also be submitted.

Click here to nominate