USD 500,000 International Award for Scientific Excellence in Food Security
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Innovation in Dryland Regions Worldwide
Quick Highlights
Particulars
Details
Award Name
Almarai Prize 2026
Host Organizations
Almarai & King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
Opportunity Type
International Research Award
Award Value
USD 500,000
Award Frequency
Biennial (Every Two Years)
Focus Area
Food Security in Dryland Regions
Eligible Applicants
Researchers & Scientists Worldwide
Application Mode
Online Nomination
Deadline
21 August 2026
Opportunity Overview
Particular
Details
Award Organizer
Almarai & KACST
Programme Type
International Scientific Award
Award Category
Food Security Research
Eligible Region
Global
Nomination Type
Individual & Organizational
Application Mode
Online
About Organization
Almarai is one of the Middle East's leading food and beverage companies, while King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) serves as Saudi Arabia's national science and innovation authority.
Together, they established the Almarai Prize to recognize world-class scientific achievements that contribute to sustainable food systems, innovation, and food security in dryland environments while supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 research agenda.
About the Prize
The Almarai Prize 2026 is one of the world's largest international awards dedicated exclusively to food security research in dryland regions. Originally launched in 2001 as the Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity, it has evolved into a prestigious global award recognizing transformative scientific discoveries with significant societal and economic impact.
The award encourages pioneering research that addresses challenges related to climate change, water scarcity, sustainable agriculture, environmental resilience, and food production in arid and semi-arid regions.
Award Benefits
Benefit
Details
Award Value
USD 500,000
International Recognition
Yes
Global Scientific Prestige
Yes
Research Excellence Recognition
Yes
International Visibility
Yes
Contribution to SDGs
Yes
Networking Opportunities
Yes
Prize Objectives
Objective
Details
Promote Food Security Research
Yes
Support Scientific Innovation
Yes
Advance Sustainable Agriculture
Yes
Encourage Global Research Collaboration
Yes
Support Saudi Vision 2030
Yes
Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Yes
Inspire Future Scientific Leaders
Yes
Research Focus Areas
Focus Area
Supported
Food Security
Yes
Dryland Agriculture
Yes
Sustainable Agriculture
Yes
Water Management
Yes
Agricultural Resilience
Yes
Environmental Sustainability
Yes
Food Systems Innovation
Yes
Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
Details
Applicant Type
Researchers and Scientists
Qualification
Doctoral Degree (PhD or Equivalent)
Research Area
Food Security in Dryland Regions
Scientific Achievement
Internationally Recognized
Research Impact
Scientific, Economic & Societal
Nationality
Open Worldwide
Who Can Be Nominated?
Applicant Category
Eligible
Individual Researchers
Yes
Scientists
Yes
Research Institutions
Through Organizational Nomination
International Experts
Yes
Universities
Yes
Research Organizations
Yes
Nomination Pathways
Nomination Type
Details
Individual Nomination
Expert nominations submitted for outstanding researchers.
Organizational Nomination
Institutions may nominate eligible researchers or research teams.
Board of Trustees
Member
Position
H.E. Dr. Munir Eldesouki
Chairman (President, KACST)
HH Prince Naif Al Saud
Vice Chairman (Chairman, Almarai)
Prof. Abdulaziz Almalik
Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture
Mr. Fawaz Al-Jasser
CEO, Almarai
Dr. Rami Khalil Niazi
RDIA
Prof. Omar Yaghi
University of California, Berkeley
Prof. Joel Cuello
University of Arizona
Prof. Rod Wing
KAUST & University of Arizona
Mr. Abdullah Alkhaled
Board Secretary
Previous Laureate
Year
Recipient
Achievement
2024
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Recognized for "Enhancing Food Security in Arab Countries."
Required Documents
Document
Required
Nomination Form
Yes
Scientific Achievements
Yes
Supporting Documentation
Yes
Research Contributions
Yes
Additional Documents
As Required
Application Timeline
Event
Date
Nominations Open
Currently Open
Application Deadline
21 August 2026
Award Cycle
Biennial
How to Apply
Step
Action
Step 1
Visit the official Almarai Prize nomination portal.
Step 2
Review eligibility criteria and nomination guidelines.
Step 3
Choose the appropriate nomination pathway (Individual or Organizational).
Step 4
Complete the online nomination form and upload all required documents.
Highly specialized researchers and scientists with internationally recognized achievements in food security research.
How much is the award?
USD 500,000.
What is the research focus?
Food security in dryland regions.
Can organizations submit nominations?
Yes, both individual and organizational nominations are accepted.
What is the deadline?
21 August 2026.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The Almarai Prize 2026 is among the most prestigious global research awards dedicated exclusively to food security in dryland environments. Its substantial USD 500,000 award value and international recognition make it highly competitive for scientists working in agriculture, sustainability, climate resilience, and food systems innovation.
Researchers with impactful scientific publications, internationally recognized contributions, and practical innovations addressing food security challenges should strongly consider nomination. Demonstrating measurable scientific, environmental, and societal impact will significantly strengthen the competitiveness of a nomination.
