Illustrative Image: Call for Nominations: Al-Sumait Prize in Food Security 2025
Image Source & Credit: KFAS
Ownership and Usage Policy
The Al-Sumait Prize for African Development is now accepting nominations for its 2025 cycle, with a focus on food security. This prestigious annual award recognizes the outstanding work of individuals or institutions who have made significant contributions to sustainable development in Africa through impactful research, projects, and initiatives.
About the Prize
Established by the State of Kuwait and administered by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the Al-Sumait Prize honors the legacy of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, a Kuwaiti humanitarian and medical doctor who dedicated his life to serving underserved communities across Africa. The prize reflects the vision of the late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, former Amir of Kuwait, to highlight and support initiatives that promote economic and social progress across the continent.
Each year, the prize rotates among three thematic areas critical to African development:
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Food Security
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Health
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Education
For 2025, the spotlight is on food security, with the winner(s) receiving a monetary award of USD 1,000,000 (one million US dollars).
Purpose and Objectives
The Al-Sumait Prize aims to:
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Recognize outstanding scientific research, applied projects, and pioneering initiatives.
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Promote innovative and scalable solutions addressing urgent development challenges.
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Support transformative work that advances the well-being, economic independence, and sustainability of African communities.
This prize not only acknowledges achievement but also amplifies efforts that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to zero hunger, climate action, and gender equality.
Eligibility and Requirements
Nominees—either individuals or institutions—must demonstrate high-impact and innovative contributions to food security in Africa. Specific eligibility criteria include:
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Scope and Impact: The work must have a demonstrable effect on improving food security and sustainable agriculture in African contexts, with clear benefits to vulnerable communities.
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Scientific Merit: The work should be evidence-based and ideally published in peer-reviewed journals or internationally recognized platforms.
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Implementation: Research outcomes or initiatives must have been implemented within African countries over the past ten years.
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Submission Language: All entries must be in English. If the original work is in another language, a comprehensive English summary is required.
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Nominating Entities: Submissions can be made by international and regional academic institutions, research centers, UN bodies, previous Al-Sumait laureates, and past evaluation committee members.
Thematic Areas in Food Security (2025 Focus)
Eligible contributions must address one or more of the following areas:
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Development of new, climate-resilient seed, crop, or livestock varieties.
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Enhancement of the nutritional value, caloric density, and shelf life of local foods.
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Support for smallholder farmers through access to modern inputs, techniques, and markets.
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Innovations to reduce food loss and waste across Africa’s agri-food systems.
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Strengthening resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.
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Promotion of sustainable, water-efficient agricultural systems, especially in marginal environments.
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Digital transformation and modernization of food systems, including business strategy and marketing.
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Implementation of creative, scalable solutions to hunger and malnutrition.
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Integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment into food security strategies.
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Preparedness and recovery solutions for food security during health crises and pandemics.
How to Apply
Interested nominators should register and complete the nomination form via the Al-Sumait Prize online portal:
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2025
Early submission is encouraged to allow time for thorough evaluation and documentation. Ensure that all supporting materials—such as publications, impact reports, and third-party endorsements—are included in the nomination packet.
About KFAS and the Legacy of Dr. Al-Sumait
The Al-Sumait Prize is a cornerstone initiative of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, which champions the development of knowledge-based societies through science, research, and innovation. Dr. Al-Sumait’s decades of humanitarian work inspired this initiative, as he provided medical care, education, and development aid to underserved populations across more than 29 African countries.
Take Part in Celebrating African Innovation
If your organization or someone you know is driving change in food security across Africa, now is the time to gain international recognition and support. The Al-Sumait Prize not only brings financial resources to transformative projects but also elevates their visibility to a global stage, inspiring further collaboration and progress.
Let your mission be known. Nominate now.
For detailed information and nomination guidelines, visit: https://prizes.kfas.org.kw
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2025). Call for Nominations: Al-Sumait Prize in Food Security 2025. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/call-for-nominations-al-sumait-prize-in-food-security-2025/
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
