$50,000 FAO Champion Award

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) gives its Champion Award, its highest honour, to one individual or institution whose work has made a significant and outstanding contribution to ending hunger and transforming food systems. The winner receives USD 50,000 and is flown to FAO headquarters in Rome to be presented the award by the Director-General at the FAO Conference in mid-2027. It is aimed at large-scale, proven work, usually programmes that span several countries, and every nomination needs an endorsement from an FAO Representative or FAO Director.

What you get:

• A cash prize of USD 50,000
• A scroll describing your achievements
• Travel to FAO headquarters in Rome for the award ceremony, paid by FAO

Key dates:

• Nominations close 31 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET
• Award presented at the 45th Session of the FAO Conference, 26 June to 5 July 2027, Rome

More information:

• The nomination form, criteria and terms are on the FAO apply page

What you get:

• A cash prize of USD 50,000

• Open to individuals and to national, regional or global institutions
• Applicants must be 18 or over
• Must have made a significant and outstanding contribution to FAO's goals and the SDGs in the preceding biennium
• Endorsement or letter of support from an FAO Representative or FAO Director is mandatory; nominations without it are not valid
• Large-scale programmes are defined as involving inter-country cooperation at regional or global level, or national programmes that inspired replication