Criteria and Nomination Information
The World Food Prize is awarded for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement at any point along the full range of the food production and distribution chain.
Fields of achievement include, but are not limited to: soil and land; plant and animal science; food science and technology; nutrition; rural development; marketing; food processing and packaging; water and the environment; natural resource conservation; physical infrastructure; transportation and distribution; special or extraordinary feeding programs; social organization and poverty elimination; economics and finance; policy analysis; and public advocacy.
This exceptionally significant achievement must be shown to have resulted in a demonstrable increase in the quantity, quality or availability of, or access to, food for a substantial number of people.
- It must be clearly shown that this increase was the direct result of the specific actions and activities of the nominee (i.e., without his or her specific accomplishment, no change would have occurred).
- The impact of this achievement must be measurable, quantifiable, or otherwise demonstrated either in terms of reduced poverty, hunger, or suffering; or enhanced health, nutrition, quality of life and well-being.
- The number of people affected as well as the extent of the change they experienced will be a substantial factor in evaluating the relative significance of the various individual achievements being considered.
- Substantial weight will also be given to the complexity of the problem solved and the degree of difficulty involved in achieving success. Similarly, consideration will be given to the degree of ingenuity and determination involved in attaining this change or advancement.
- A nominee must be living and in sufficiently good health to attend The World Food Prize Award Ceremony. The nominee must be able to give an acceptance speech and agree to participate in selected media events and The World Food Prize Youth Institute at the time of the Award Ceremony.
- The Prize is intended to be awarded to one person. In exceptional circumstances where an additional person (or persons) has collaborated in an indispensable way, more than one person may be included in the nomination. However, it must be demonstrated conclusively that each person contributed in an essential way, and that without each individual’s contribution, no achievement would have been possible.
- The Selection Committee has the responsibility to determine whether joint nominations meet this criteria, and in cases where it judges this standard has not been met, to limit the number of persons being considered.
- It is intended that all elements of the food chain be recognized at some point in the awarding of The Prize. In weighing the merits of nominations, consideration may be given to attaining a balance among all segments of the food production and distribution chain in the selection of the Laureate.
To be considered, nominations and all seconding and supporting documents must be postmarked or electronically dated by March 1 of the year for which they are to be considered. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
The World Food Prize Secretariat assists the Selection Committee by reviewing all nominations for appropriateness and completeness and then forwarding them to the Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee then reviews the nominations and recommends the recipient and first alternate it deems most worthy for the award based on The Prize's criteria. Recommendations are forwarded through the President of the Foundation to the Foundation’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Council of Advisors for final approval.
The Prize is normally awarded to recognize one specific achievement by one individual. However, if the Selection Committee judges that this accomplishment was simultaneously attained by another individual working separately, the Selection Committee may, in very rare instances, recommend that the Prize be shared.
The Selection Committee may also decide to recognize two or more individuals in the same year, either for their separate, independent accomplishments in a common area of specialization; or their work in different areas of expertise, which contributed to a significant positive impact in a common country or geographic area.
The Selection Committee especially welcomes the nominations of individuals who have worked across political boundaries to feed hungry people in a way that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict, which would emulate Dr. Borlaug’s accomplishments in spreading the Green Revolution for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize.
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