Al-Sumait Prize for African Development – Food Security Grant

About this grant

The Al-Sumait Prize for African Development is an annual award honoring individuals or institutions who have made significant advances in food security, health, and education in Africa. An initiative of the late Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the prize celebrates work and accomplishments that contribute to sustainable development across the African continent. Administered by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and an international Board of Trustees, the award recognizes best studies, scientific projects, applied research, and innovative initiatives with significant impact and lasting influence on economic and social development in Africa. The prize is awarded annually in one of three rotating fields—Food Security, Health, and Education—and carries a monetary value of $1,000,000 USD.

Eligibility

The prize honors individuals or institutions who have advanced economic and social development, human resources development, and infrastructure on the African continent through their work or research in food security, health, or education. Specific eligibility criteria regarding organization type, geographic location of work, career stage, or prior recipient restrictions are not detailed on the page.

How it's scored

Applications are evaluated by an international Board of Trustees comprising respected philanthropists and experts in the field. The prize recognizes the most significant advances, best studies, scientific projects, applied research, and innovative initiatives with demonstrated impact and lasting influence on African development. Specific scoring criteria, weightings, or evaluation methodology are not disclosed on the page.

Key requirements

• ✓Work or research must demonstrate significant advances in food security in Africa
• ✓Eligible submissions include studies, scientific projects, applied research, and innovative initiatives
• ✓Projects must show lasting impact and measurable outcomes
• ✓Individuals or institutions may apply

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• CAMFED – The Campaign for Female Education · 2023
• Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) · 2022
• The African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases · 2021
• Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy · 2020
• Ubongo Learning · 2020
• The Africa Rice Center · 2019
• Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) · 2019
• Rakai Health Sciences Program · 2018

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Al-Sumait Prize for African Development offer?

Al-Sumait Prize for African Development – Food Security offers up to $1M.

Who can apply for Al-Sumait Prize for African Development – Food Security?

Eligibility covers organisations in AFRICA; university, research-institution, nonprofit, individual, social-enterprise. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.