Deadline: February 28, 2019

The search is on for the 2019 Agropolis Fondation Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize for Agriculture and Food. Now on its 5th edition, the Agropolis Fondation Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize was created in 2009 to recognize the exemplary contribution of scientists in the field as well as to inspire young promising researchers to work towards excellent science in the service of society.

For the 3rd time, the Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security, given by leading agri-business Olam
International, is awarded in conjunction with Agropolis Fondation’s Malassis Prize. It recognizes an innovative scientific research project for its potential impact on the availability, affordability, accessibility or adequacy of food.

Every other year, Agropolis Fondation and Olam International launch a Call for Candidates. Entries are evaluated and selected based on the scientific excellence, impact of their contribution to sustainable development, and quality of partnerships they have developed and established, notably with the civil society.

Prizes

• Three Prizes are at stake in the 2019 edition of the Prize.

1. The “Young Promising Scientist Prize” which is awarded to a junior scientist with at least five
   years of professional experience ;
2. The “Distinguished Scientist Prize” is given to a senior scientist with at least 15 years of professional experience.
3. The “Outstanding Career in Agricultural Development” is handed to someone whose professional career is devoted to agricultural development, be it in the field of agriculture and food research, innovation, capacity building, development or policy.

• The Young Promising Scientist Prize comes with a €5,000 cash prize and a €15,000 worth of scientific
  mobility grant to any of the 41 research labs that are part of Agropolis Fondation’s scientific network.
• The Distinguished Scientist and the Outstanding Career in Agricultural Development Prizes come with a €20,000 cash prize.
• Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security: The winning research project will receive US$ 75,000.

Eligibility

Eligibility for Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize:

Candidates should be from any of the following categories, and working in any of the fields stated in Article 1:

• Academic or research organization, public or private;
• Civil society organization;
• Private sector group (e.g., small/medium enterprises).

A group nomination should consist of no more than three persons. Each nominee (and each member of a group, in the case of a group nomination) should meet the following criteria:

• For the “Young Promising Scientist” Category;

1. Holds a PhD degree;
2. At least 5 years of professional experience (outside of PhD education);
3. Demonstrated potential in one or various fields covered by the Prize, as stated in Article 1;
4. Should be no more than 40 years old by 01 January 2019.
5. Due consideration will be accorded to female candidates who have had maternity leave(s).

• For the “Distinguished Scientist” Category

1. Holds a PhD degree;
2. At least 15 years of professional experience;
3. Proven significant contribution in one or various fields covered by the Prize, as stated in Article 1.

• For the “Outstanding Career in Agricultural Development” Category

1. At least 20 years of professional experience;
2. Given to a person whose is still professionally active and whose career has been devoted to agricultural development, be it in the field of research, innovation, capacity building, development or policy in any of the fields covered by the Prize, as stated in Article 1.

Eligibility for Olam Prize:

• Research projects in plant science, soil science, nutritional science, agricultural sciences or other field of scientific
  research impacting food security will be considered for the Prize.
• Applicants will be considered from academic or research organisations, civil society organisations and the private sector.
• The research can be based anywhere in the world, and can be focused on innovation for food security in developed and/or developing countries.
• The research project must be ongoing, and have enough evidence of achieved or potential impact to full the judging criteria.
• Research into the genetic modification of organisms is not eligible for the Prize.
• Olam employees are not eligible for the Prize.

Nomination

• A person can be a candidate in only one category. Previous nominees can still apply for the new edition of the Prize.
• The Application Form should be duly completed in English. It should be signed and sent to Agropolis Fondation together with all the required annexes. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• All entries must be submitted electronically on or before the specified deadline via the Proposal submission platform https://agropolisfondation.optimytool.com/en/ (Note: Applicants need to create an account)
• Applicants may be requested to provide additional documentation related to their candidature at any point of the process.
• Applicants are bound by the rules and regulations of the Prize.

Selection Criteria

Candidates are evaluated and selected based on the following criteria:

• Scientific quality of the contribution of the Candidate;
• (Potential) Impacts of the contribution to sustainable development;
• Quality of partnerships developed and established, notably with the civil society, e.g. non government
  organizations, farmers and producers organizations, etc.

Application

Click here to apply.

For more information, visit Agropolis Foundation.

This article was originally published on Opportunity Desk