The (United Nations) UN FAO Award for Achievement recognizes exceptional professional milestones across sectors like fisheries, forestry, climate, and plant health. Endorsed under Conference Resolution 11/21, the award honors individuals or entities—including FAO’s own teams—who have implemented high-impact programs at the country level. The selection emphasizes “catalytic effects,” such as mobilizing investment or driving policy change. Winners receive a commemorative scroll and a USD $10,000 cash prize for their contributions to sustainable rural development and food security.
UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 15, 2026 |
| Award Amount | USD $10,000 + Commemorative Scroll |
| Eligibility | Individuals, entities, FAO teams, or employees |
| Primary Goal | Technical cooperation or humanitarian work at country level |
| Submission | Online form or via email (FAO-awards@fao.org) |
UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 Details
The award is broad in its technical reach, focusing on areas where the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) undertakes extensive work:
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- Natural Resources: Fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, land, and water.
- Health & Science: Animal and plant health, biodiversity, and the environment.
- Specialized Centers: Work involving the FAO/WHO Center, FAO/IAEA Center, and Codex Alimentarius.
UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 Core Selection Criteria
Successful nominees must demonstrate a “model character” through one or more of the following:
A. Advancement of Country Development
Identifiable contributions to sustainable agricultural/rural development or food security, such as:
- Technical innovations in farming or forestry.
- Institutional or administrative improvements.
- Discovery of new resources through surveys or research.
- Establishment of training/research institutions.
B. Filling Critical Gaps
Successfully meeting short-term technical assistance needs that could not be covered by other sources of support.
C. Catalytic Effects & Sustainability
The nomination must show that the work produced lasting results, such as:
- Increased mobilization of investment funds.
- Large-scale follow-up actions by governments or stakeholders.
- Significant policy or institutional changes.
UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 Eligibility Requirements
- Inclusivity: Open to both external entities (NGOs, Government bodies, individuals) and internal FAO staff/teams.
- Level of Impact: The work must be focused at the country level.
- Focus: Must align with the specific technical sectors or programs related to the FAO’s mandate.
UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 Application Guidelines
The nomination process requires a detailed, self-contained text. This means the submission should not rely on external links or prior knowledge; it must tell the full story within the document.
Key Requirements for the Narrative:
- Concrete Elements: Provide specific data, dates, and locations.
- Proof of Sustainability: Explain how the project continues to function after initial support.
- Replicability: Describe how this model could be applied in other regions or countries.
- Submission Methods:
- Digital Form: Accessible via the official FAO portal.
- Email: Send to
FAO-awards@fao.org.
Application Deadline: February 15th, 2026
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UN FAO Award for Achievement 2026 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Can an FAO employee win this award? Yes. Unlike many other international awards, FAO teams and individual employees are explicitly eligible for their work in technical cooperation.
2. Is there an age limit for this award? No. Unlike the Norman Borlaug Award, the FAO Award for Achievement does not specify an age restriction.
3. Does the work have to be completed by the deadline? The criteria emphasize “sustainable outcomes” and “catalytic effects,” implying the work should be sufficiently advanced to show measurable results and long-term impact.
4. What does “Self-Contained” mean for the nomination? It means your application should include all necessary context, evidence, and descriptions within the text provided. The jury should not have to search for external reports to understand your achievement.
5. What is a “Catalytic Effect”? In this context, it refers to an achievement that triggers further progress—like a small pilot project that leads to a national policy change or a research finding that attracts millions in private investment.
6. Can a private company apply? The award is open to “any entity,” which includes private organizations, provided their work is in technical cooperation or humanitarian efforts at the country level that benefit food security.
7. How is the winner notified? While the specific timeline varies, winners are typically announced following the evaluation by the FAO selection committee, often in alignment with major FAO conferences.
8. Can I nominate a project that focused only on research? Yes, if that research led to the “discovery of new resources” or the “establishment of research institutions” that directly advanced the country’s rural development.
9. Is the $10,000 for the project or the person? The cash prize is awarded to the recipient (the individual or the entity) as a recognition of achievement.
10. Is technical innovation the only way to win? No. Institutional improvements, administrative reforms, and humanitarian assistance that fill critical gaps are equally valued.
