The 2026 FAO Achievement Award funding opportunity is now open to recognise individuals and institutions that have delivered measurable results in food security, sustainable agriculture, and agrifood system transformation.

Administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this award highlights practical, field-level achievements that have created lasting impact at national or regional level.

For African NGOs, farmer organisations, and development institutions working in agriculture, nutrition, climate resilience, and rural development, this award provides an opportunity to have proven work formally recognised at international level.

Unlike project grants, the FAO Achievement Award does not finance new initiatives; it rewards completed or ongoing work that demonstrates innovation, sustainability, and the potential to be replicated elsewhere.

Nominations must be submitted by 15 February 2026 (23:59 CET) and must be endorsed by an FAO Representative. To begin your application, start by reding How to apply for the 2026 FAO Achievement Award

Eligible organisations are advised to begin preparations early to secure endorsement and compile supporting documentation.

Discover 19 Grants Closing in February 2026

Grant Overview

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads global efforts to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable food systems.

Through its awards programme, FAO recognises professional excellence in areas linked directly to its mandate and to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

The FAO Achievement Award focuses on “hidden heroes” whose work at country or regional level has produced verifiable improvements in agrifood systems.

Purpose of the Award

The award aims to:

Recognise outstanding professional contributions
Promote sustainable development solutions
Encourage replication of successful models
Strengthen visibility of effective agrifood interventions

It is a recognition mechanism rather than a project funding scheme and therefore rewards demonstrated results, not proposals for future activities.

Key Grant Details

Category	Information
Funder	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Award Amount	USD 10,000
Eligible Applicants	Individuals, NGOs, institutions, governments, academic bodies, FAO teams
Eligible Regions	Global (including all African countries)
Application Deadline	15 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Additional benefits include:

A formal scroll recognising achievements
Invitation to an international award ceremony (typically held around World Food Day in October 2026)
Global visibility through FAO communication platforms

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The award is open to a wide range of development actors whose work aligns with FAO’s mandate.

Eligible NGO and Institutional Types

National and international NGOs
Civil society organisations
Farmer associations and cooperatives
Research and academic institutions
Government agencies
FAO staff or technical teams

Registration and Operational Requirements

Applicants must:

Be legally registered in their country of operation
Demonstrate an operational track record through reports or programme records
Provide verifiable evidence of achievements
Obtain formal endorsement from an FAO Representative

Geographic Scope

Open to all African countries
Country-level and regional initiatives are eligible
Cross-border programmes may be considered if impact is clearly demonstrated

What the Award Supports

Broad Thematic Areas

Recognised achievements may relate to:

Sustainable agriculture and rural development
Food security and nutrition
Fisheries and aquaculture
Forestry and ecosystem management
Climate action and resilience
Animal and plant health

Activities Typically Recognised

In practice, this may include organisations or teams that have:

Improved farmer productivity through climate-smart practices
Strengthened nutrition-sensitive agriculture systems
Introduced sustainable fisheries or aquaculture management
Established effective plant or animal disease control mechanisms
Implemented land restoration or forestry conservation initiatives
Enhanced agricultural value chains and market access

FAO places emphasis on work that continues to deliver benefits beyond the original project cycle.

How to Apply

High-Level Application Steps

Applicants must submit a complete nomination package through FAO’s official awards system. The process generally involves:

Completing the FAO nomination form
Compiling documentary evidence of achievements
Securing endorsement from an FAO Representative
Submitting the application via the official portal or designated email

Authoritative Application Link:
https://www.fao.org/fao-awards/en

How to Apply

Detailed Application Instructions

Supporting Documents

Applicants should prepare:

Completed FAO nomination form
Summary of achievements and outcomes
Impact data or evaluation reports
Endorsement letter from an FAO Representative
Relevant publications, case studies, or project reports

Submissions may be made through:

FAO’s online awards portal
Email submission to: FAO-awards@fao.org

Evaluation and Selection Process

Nominations are assessed based on:

Measurable impact at national or regional level
Sustainability of results
Potential for replication
Innovation and technical relevance

Shortlisted nominations undergo internal FAO review before final selection.

Practical Insight

FAO review panels tend to prioritise documented outcomes over descriptions of implementation processes.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate what changed as a result of their work, not only what activities were delivered.

Important Notes

This is a recognition award, not a project funding grant
Applications without FAO endorsement are considered invalid
FAO does not charge application fees
Applicants should verify deadlines and procedures on the official FAO website
All submitted information must be accurate and verifiable

FundingOpportunitis.com publishes funding information for guidance purposes only. Applicants should always rely on FAO’s official sources for final submission requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this a project funding grant?
No. This award recognises completed or ongoing work that has already produced results, rather than funding new projects.

Can African NGOs apply directly?
Yes, provided they obtain formal endorsement from an FAO Representative.

What is the value of the award?
The award includes USD 10,000 and international recognition through FAO platforms.

Is partnership with FAO required?
Formal partnership is not required, but endorsement from FAO is mandatory.

Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individuals, institutions, and technical teams are eligible.

Need Help Applying for This Award?

Some African NGOs may require support in compiling impact documentation and securing endorsement. Independent grant support services can assist with:

Structuring achievement summaries
Organising technical evidence
Ensuring compliance with FAO requirements
Preparing professional supporting materials

Early preparation improves the quality and credibility of submissions.

Related Funding Opportunities

Conclusion

The 2026 FAO Achievement Award funding opportunity offers African NGOs and development institutions a valuable chance to gain international recognition for proven work in food security and sustainable agriculture.

Its focus on measurable impact and long-term outcomes favours practical solutions that strengthen agrifood systems.

Organisations that meet the eligibility criteria should review the FAO guidelines directly, secure endorsement early, and submit their nominations before 15 February 2026.

Readers are encouraged to bookmark this page, share it with eligible partners, and subscribe to FundingOpportunitis.com for verified funding alerts and monthly grant round-ups.

2026 FAO Achievement Award Funding Opportunity for African NGOs