CAST AWARDS

2026 Borlaug CAST Communication Award

Recognizing outstanding achievement in the communication of agricultural science and technology to the public, policymakers, and news media.

📍 Library of Congress · Washington, D.C. · December 10, 2026 · 6 p.m. ET

Award Overview

About the Borlaug CAST Communication Award

The Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA) is presented annually for outstanding achievement by a scientist, engineer, technologist, or other professional working in the agricultural, environmental, or food sectors for contributing to the advancement of science in the public policy arena.

Established in 2010, the award honors the legacies of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug — “The Man Who Fed the World” and author of CAST’s first publication in 1973 — and Dr. Charles A. Black, CAST’s first President, first Executive Vice President, and member of CAST’s founding committee.

The 2026 award will be presented at the CAST Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 10, 2026, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. — the anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.

Timeline

Key Dates

NOMINATIONS OPEN

April 7, 2026

Dr. Borlaug’s birthday

Submission Deadline

May 31, 2026

Midnight CST — nominations closed

Recipient Announced

By July 31, 2026

Winner to be publicly announced

Award Ceremony

December 10, 2026

6 p.m. ET · Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Nomination Information

Selection Criteria & Guidelines

The BCCA is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement in agricultural science communication — carrying the work of science to policymakers, the media, and the public.

Primary consideration will be given to mid-career candidates who:

Are actively engaged in the science and technology of agriculture and food production, while promoting agriculture through research, teaching, extension, or communication;
Have made significant contributions to their discipline or field nationally and internationally; and
Demonstrate a passion in communicating the importance of agriculture and food production to policymakers, the news media, and the public.

Additional points of consideration:

The award may be given for a specific achievement or for a continuing body of work.
All disciplines related to agricultural, environmental, and food science are eligible.
Nominees must have demonstrated communication ability through written material, public presentations, and/or use of television, radio, and social media.
Candidates must be living persons actively engaged in their profession.
Individuals from all nations are eligible.
Nominations are encouraged regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, disability, or age.
Self-nominations are not accepted.

Nominations are welcome from anyone — there are no restrictions on who may nominate.
A separate nomination form must be submitted for each nominee.
CAST will retain completed nomination packets for consideration for two years (current year and one additional year).
All components of the packet must be submitted together by the primary nominator.
Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not, contact Carlos Back Vianna, CAST Director of Marketing & Communications.

The primary nominator’s letter should be extensive and address the following:

Cite the candidate’s qualifications, accomplishments, and background.
If you have personal, direct experience with the candidate, describe it.
Give specific data on successes, if available (number of presentations, writings, audience reach, etc.).
Include links to samples of communication activities — videos, social media, articles, etc.

Support letters:

Letters must be addressed to: Borlaug CAST Communication Award Selection Committee.
Collect support letters from your references and upload them as PDFs through the nomination form — do not have writers send letters directly to CAST.
Letters should be on letterhead; contain personal reflections about the candidate’s communication activities; and preferably be one page (no longer than two).
Letter writers should be chosen from a variety of organizations to represent different perspectives.
Maximum of five (5) letters of support.

Completed nomination packets must include all of the following:

The completed nomination form;
A curated curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee (maximum 5 pages);
A written statement of the candidate’s ability to disseminate research findings to the public, including a list of pertinent publications, public speaking engagements, television and/or radio appearances, social media, or other media activities within the past five years;
A maximum of five (5) letters of support in PDF form. The nominator may be included as one of the five references.

All required materials must be written in English and submitted through the nomination form by midnight CST on May 31, 2026.

Nominations for the 2026 award are now closed. For questions, contact cvianna@cast-science.org.

2025 Recipient

Celebrating the 2025 Honoree

David Ortega

Agricultural Economist · Michigan State University

"Communicating the complexity of our food system in ways that resonate with the public and policymakers is one of the most important things we can do as agricultural scientists."

— David Ortega

CAST Awards Ecosystem

Recognition Across Every Career Stage

STUDENTS

CAST Science Communication Scholarship

Supporting the next generation of agricultural science communicators at the student level.

★ MID-CAREER

Borlaug CAST Communication Award

CAST’s premier annual honor — recognizing mid-career professionals bridging science and society.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

CAST Lifetime Achievement Award

CAST’s honor — for sustained, career-long impact at the national or international level.

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