Apply Now: Transformative Research Challenge

Categories

• Gender Mainstreaming in the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prize (co-hosted by the FAO PPR-GEP Secretariat),
• Sustainable Aquaculture Prize (co-hosted by Shanghai Ocean University and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI)),
• Integrated Water Management for Food Security Prize (Resilient farming and fishing communities through integrated water management for food security (Co-hosted by the FAO Land and Water Division (NSL) and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI))

Benefits

• All shortlisted teams will receive:
  • Capacity development: Shortlisted teams will receive expert guidance through virtual masterclasses and dedicated office hours with experts in the field to help refine and develop their Concept Notes into research proposals.
  • Networking opportunities: Shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to connect with a global network of young leaders, agrifood experts and representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as the United Nations.
  • Visibility: The WFF Youth Initiative provides a platform for young innovators to showcase their innovative research ideas and approaches to a global audience.
• Finalist teams will receive:
  • Presentation training: Each team will be supported with training to effectively present their research proposals at the WFF flagship event, taking place at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 13–17 October 2025.
  • Funded participation: Two finalist teams will be selected per prize category. Each team must nominate one representative to attend the flagship event in Rome, with travel and accommodation covered.
  • TRC certificate of achievement.
  • Visibility: Finalist teams will be featured on the WFF Youth Initiative website and social media channels.
• General prizes for the finalists and winners of the TRC:
  • Publication of research finding on the WFF Youth Initiative website.
  • TRC award and certificate.
  • Opportunity to apply for the WFF Youth Food Lab incubator programme.

Funding Information

• USD 8000 in research grants for the Gender Mainstreaming in the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prize.
• USD 10000 in research grants for the:
  • Sustainable Aquaculture Prize, and
  • Integrated Water Management for Food Security Prize

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational background
  • All applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to agrifood systems, which includes but is not limited to areas such as agriculture, food science, environmental science, sustainable development or other related disciplines.
• Team composition and age requirements
  • The competition is open to teams of at least 3 and up to 5 individuals (Entrants). All team members must be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of submission of their Concept Note.
  • FAO employees and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, siblings and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such employees, whether related or not, are not eligible to enter the competition. WFF Youth Initiative will determine eligibility at its sole discretion. Partners or relatives of partner staff of the institutions involved in the launch of the competition and relations of the judging committee are not eligible to compete.
• Originality and copyright
  • Entrants can only submit original works for which they are the sole creators and copyright holders. In the case of a group of authors, the names and ages of all authors must be listed and will be considered as a single Entrant in the copyright rules described below, as well as for the prizes and benefits.
• Team composition and member modifications
  • Entrants may only indicate their team members during the initial submission. Team members cannot be added or removed after the open call for applications closes. The WFF Youth Initiative team retains the right to remain impartial and uninvolved in any disputes concerning changes to team membership.
• Supervisor inclusion
  • Entrants can include a supervisor from their institute/university. This supervisor is not considered part of the team.
• Mentor and reviewer restrictions
  • TRC mentors and reviewers are not permitted to be members of their assigned team and are not permitted to participate as authors of the research submitted by their assigned team.
• Application requirements
  • Applications with any missing personal information including names, ages, emails, the number of team members and educational background are subject to disqualification. Lacking information in applications means that they are subject to disqualification.  Any missing answers will lead to disqualification.
• Acceptance of terms
  • Entrants must accept these Terms and Conditions when submitting a Concept Note. Please note that participation is free of charge.

For more information, visit World Food Forum.