Submissions Open: 2026 World Food Prize Foundation Top Agri-food Pioneers

Submissions are now open for the World Food Prize Foundation’s 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP). This will be an international cohort of 40 innovators advancing practical, science-driven solutions to strengthen food and nutrition security worldwide. The upcoming cohort coincides with the World Food Prize’s 40th anniversary, a milestone year for the Foundation’s global work.

TAP honors individuals of all ages, backgrounds and career fields who are advancing agriculture and food systems through bold ideas, practical solutions and collaborative leadership. These pioneers represent a wide spectrum of expertise—from farmers, scientists and entrepreneurs to policy leaders, educators and innovators. They are all united by a shared commitment to improving food and nutrition security worldwide. 

“TAP recognises innovators who are delivering results—not just ideas —across the global food system. As the Foundation marks the 40th anniversary of the World Food Prize, the cohort reflects Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s legacy by advancing science-driven solutions, cross-sector partnerships and measurable impact in communities around the world.”

— Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation

Since its debut in 2024, the TAP program has grown into a global network of trailblazers who are accelerating progress across agriculture, nutrition, sustainability, technology and more. The 2025 cohort featured 39 individuals spanning 27 countries and ranged in age from 20 to 79, representing a powerful cross-section of experience, geography and expertise.

“This recognition underscores the importance of research-driven, science-based solutions in addressing global food and climate challenges,” said 2025 Top Agrifood Pioneer Magdi Elsayed, Research Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks. “I am excited to collaborate with fellow innovators to develop integrated, sustainable strategies for resilient agri-food systems.”

TAP recipients demonstrate how locally grounded innovation can drive global impact across diverse food systems. One example is 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer Phindi Cebukhulu Mosomi, Group CEO, Hazile Group. Phindi’s work advances scalable, locally led solutions with relevance well beyond the communities in which they begin.

“Being named a Top Agri-food Pioneer is a profound honor and a powerful reminder that local innovation can shape global food systems,” said Mosomi. “This recognition by the World Food Prize Foundation inspires me to keep pushing boundaries and collaborating across borders to co-create a food-secure future.”

Any institution or individual may submit a name for consideration for TAP. The eligibility criteria, the selection procedure, a social media toolkit for promotion and other information can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org/TAP.

The deadline for submissions is March 25, 2026.

This news was first published by the World Food Prize Foundation. It has been revised to suit Farming First’s editorial guidelines.

Photo: Neeta Satam/Bloomberg