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“Without food, there can be no peace. Without science, there can be no food.”

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug

2026 Borlaug CAST Communications Award

Nomination Packet

The Borlaug CAST Communication Award 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.

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.

Nominees must have demonstrated their ability to communicate by written material; public presentations; and/or use of television, radio, and social media. Other points of consideration include the following:

  • The award may be given for a specific achievement or for a continuing body of work.
  • Consideration will be given to achievements in all disciplines related to agricultural, environmental, and food science.
  • Candidates must be living persons actively engaged in their profession.
  • Individuals from all nations are eligible to receive the award.
  • Nominations are eligible and encouraged for candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, disability, and age.
  • Nominations are welcome and encouraged from anyone; there are no restrictions on who may nominate for the award. Invitations for nominations are distributed widely in the agricultural, environmental, and food science community.
  • A separate nomination form must be used for each nominee.
  • CAST will retain completed nomination packets for consideration by the selection committee for two years (current year and one additional year).

(a) Complete the nomination form and submit all materials before the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email upon submission. If you do not receive one, contact Carlos Back Vianna, CAST Director of Marketing & Communications, at cvianna@cast-science.org.

(b) The primary nominator should submit all components together through the nomination form: the completed form, CV, written statement, and letters of support (maximum 5).

(c) The letter from the primary nominator should be extensive:

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

(d) Provide a current CV and written statement of accomplishments, as described in the Nominations section.

(e) Support letters:

  1. Letters must be addressed to: Borlaug CAST Communication Award Selection Committee.
  2. Collect support letters from your references and upload them as PDFs through the nomination form — do not have writers send letters directly to CAST.
  3. Support letters should be on letterhead; contain personal reflections about the candidate’s activities; address how the candidate communicates their message; and preferably be one page in length (no longer than two pages).

(f) Letter writers should be chosen from a variety of organizations to represent different points of view in support of the candidate.

(g) The submission deadline is midnight CST on May 31, 2026.

Completed nomination packets must include the following:

  1. The completed nomination form;
  2. A curated curriculum vitae/resume of the nominee (maximum 5 pages);
  3. 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;
  4. A maximum of five (5) letters of support in PDF form in which the references assess the candidate’s ability to communicate science to the public. 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.

NOMINATE NOW
Key Dates
  • Nominations Open: April 7, 2026
  • Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026 (midnight CST)
  • Winner Announcement: By June 30, 2026
  • Award Ceremony: December 10, 2026, 6 PM ET — Library of Congress, Washington, DC (the anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance in 1970)

If you submitted a nomination package for the 2025 award and would like it considered for 2026, use the nomination form  and select “Rollover from 2025” at the first step. No additional materials are required. The rollover deadline is May 31, 2026.

NOMINATE NOW

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