The World Agriculture Prizes will be awarded to academics/faculty members from higher education institutions working in disciplines related to the agricultural and life sciences – including, but not limited to, agriculture, forestry, natural resources, food, bio-based products, bioenergy, rural development, and the environment. Such disciplines include both the natural and social sciences. The World Agriculture Prizes will be awarded in recognition of the academic/faculty member’s lifetime achievements.
In 2026, there will be two Prizes awarded, each of 100,000 USD. At least one of the two prizes will be awarded to a person from a developing country (any country not found on the list in the Annex to the Terms and Conditions for Submitting a Nomination for the Prize classified as having a developed economy). Nominations are invited for these two prizes.
Nominations must demonstrate exceptional and sustained achievement in advancing the mission of higher education in the agricultural and life sciences. Contributions may span education, research, innovation, and societal engagement.
The nomination will demonstrate the contributions and the extent to which the nominee has
- Delivered innovation and leadership in undergraduate and postgraduate education as well as lifelong learning, and inspired and mentored students, colleagues at all levels, and leaders across regional and international communities;
- Conducted impactful research in collaboration with peers, supervised PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and produced world-changing research outcomes;
- Provided leadership in the strategic development of the institutions where the nominee has served, including regional and international institutions, benefiting the world and advancing sustainable agricultural development;
- Collaborated with local, regional, and international higher education stakeholders, enterprises, governments, NGOs, and civil society to enhance knowledge transfer, innovation initiatives, and social services for societal well-being.
Achievements are assessed across the following dimensions:
- Educational Innovation & Leadership (undergraduate, postgraduate, and lifelong learning)
- Inspiration & Mentorship of students, colleagues, and leaders
- Research Impact, including collaborative and world-changing outcomes
- Strategic Leadership in institutional development (local, regional, international)
- Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture and global well-being
- Stakeholder Engagement & Societal Impact, including knowledge transfer and innovation
It must be clearly shown that the achievements of the nominee have been the direct result of the specific actions and activities of the nominee (without his or her specific accomplishment, the change would not be likely to have occurred).
- The impact of these achievements must be measurable, quantifiable, or otherwise demonstrated.
- The number of people affected, as well as the extent and benefit of the change they experienced, will be a substantial factor in evaluating the relative significance of the individual achievements being considered.
- Substantial weight will also be given to the complexity of the activities and the degree of difficulty involved in achieving success. Similarly, consideration will be given to the vision, ingenuity, and determination demonstrated in attaining the changes and/or advancements.
- A nominee must be living and in sufficiently good health to attend the GCHERA World Agriculture Prize Award Ceremony to be held at Nanjing Agricultural University on 28 October 2026. The nominee must be able to give an acceptance speech, a presentation, and agree to participate in selected media events.
- A single prize will be awarded to each selected Laureate.
Download the Terms and Conditions for Submitting a Nomination for the Prize.