Nominations are now open for the 2026 Almarai Prize, one of the world’s largest international awards dedicated to food security in dryland regions. Valued at US$500,000, the biennial prize recognizes outstanding scientific research and innovation that contributes to sustainable food systems and addresses the growing challenges of food security in arid and semi-arid environments. Established through a partnership between Almarai and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the prize aims to celebrate pioneering researchers whose work delivers significant scientific, economic, and societal impact. The current nomination cycle will remain open until 21 August 2026. A Global Prize Supporting Scientific Innovation The Almarai Prize reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing research, development, and innovation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s national priorities for research and innovation. Originally launched in 2001 as the Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity, the initiative recognized distinguished national researchers for excellence in scientific research and innovation. Following its transformation into an international award, the prize now focuses exclusively on promoting food security in dryland regions while encouraging collaboration among scientists worldwide. The award also contributes to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable agriculture, environmental sustainability, and food security. Objectives of the Almarai Prize The prize seeks to recognize groundbreaking scientific achievements while encouraging innovative research that addresses global food security challenges. Its key objectives include: Supporting researchers and research institutions working on food security and environmental sustainability. Promoting research aligned with Saudi Arabia’s national priorities for research, development, and innovation. Strengthening the Kingdom’s international leadership in food security research. Highlighting transformative scientific discoveries with practical and economic impact. Inspiring future generations to pursue careers in scientific research and innovation. Advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals related to food production and sustainability. Prize Focus and Eligibility The Almarai Prize specifically focuses on food security in dryland regions, recognizing research that improves agricultural resilience, sustainable food production, water management, and innovative solutions for regions affected by arid climates. The competition is open to: Highly specialized researchers and scientists. Applicants holding doctoral degrees. Individuals with internationally recognized scientific and practical achievements in food security research. The prize is awarded once every two years, reinforcing its position as one of the most prestigious global awards in this specialized field. Prize Value The Almarai Prize offers: Prize value: US$500,000 Award frequency: Every two years Field: Food security in dryland regions Application deadline: 21 August 2026 With a half-million-dollar award, it is regarded as one of the largest international prizes dedicated exclusively to food security research in dryland environments. Distinguished Board of Trustees The Almarai Prize is overseen by an international Board of Trustees composed of leading experts from academia, government, and industry. The board includes: H.E. Dr. Munir Eldesouki, President of KACST (Chairman) HH Prince Naif Al Saud, Chairman of Almarai (Vice Chairman) Prof. Abdulaziz Almalik, Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mr. Fawaz Al-Jasser, CEO of Almarai Dr. Rami Khalil Niazi, Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) Prof. Omar Yaghi, University of California, Berkeley Prof. Joel Cuello, The University of Arizona Prof. Rod Wing, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and The University of Arizona Mr. Abdullah Alkhaled, KACST (Board Secretary) The diverse composition of the board reflects the prize’s international outlook and commitment to scientific excellence. Nomination Process The Almarai Prize accepts nominations through two pathways: Individual expert nominations Organizational nominations Each nomination pathway includes its own eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, and evaluation criteria. Prospective nominators are encouraged to carefully review the submission guidelines before completing the nomination process. Previous Laureate The inaugural international Almarai Prize was awarded in 2024 to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in recognition of its outstanding contribution titled “Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries.” The recognition highlighted ICARDA’s long-standing efforts to improve agricultural resilience, sustainable farming practices, and food systems across dryland regions. Strengthening Global Food Security As climate change, water scarcity, and population growth continue to place increasing pressure on global food systems, scientific innovation has become essential for ensuring sustainable agricultural production. Through the Almarai Prize, researchers and institutions are encouraged to develop transformative solutions that improve food security, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen resilience in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Scientists with internationally recognized achievements in food security are encouraged to submit their nominations before the 21 August 2026 deadline for the opportunity to receive one of the world’s most prestigious awards dedicated to food security in dryland regions. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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