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 Jun. 16, 2026 Source: Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) news release Ames, Iowa -- The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) today opened nominations for the 2026 CAST Lifetime Achievement Award (CLAA), CAST's award for career-long impact in agricultural science, science communication, or science-based leadership. CAST is also accepting applications for the 2026 CAST Science Communication Scholarship (CSCS), a $1,000 award for students. Nominations for the CLAA are open through July 31, 2026. Self-nominations are not accepted. Nominators are asked to submit a curated CV or professional biography of the nominee, a written statement of the nominee's career contributions and their significance, and up to five letters of support. Now in its second year, the CLAA recognizes individuals whose sustained, career-long contributions have advanced agricultural science, science communication, or science-based policy in food, agriculture, and the environment. The award was established in 2025 and presented inaugurally to Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and President Emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation, in recognition of his six decades of leadership in diplomacy, agricultural development, and global food security. "The CAST Lifetime Achievement Award exists to recognize the individuals who have dedicated their careers to ensuring that agricultural science shapes the decisions that feed the world," said Chris Boomsma, CAST CEO. "We encourage the agricultural science community to put forward the leaders whose contributions deserve this recognition." The CLAA completes CAST's awards continuum -- alongside the Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA), for mid-career professionals, and the CAST Science Communication Scholarship (CSCS), for students -- recognizing leaders at every career stage who connect agricultural science, communication, and impact. Separately, CAST is accepting applications for the 2026 CAST Science Communication Scholarship through July 31, 2026. The $1,000 award recognizes one undergraduate or graduate CAST Student Member who demonstrates outstanding ability to translate complex agricultural topics into communication that is clear, accurate, creative, and impactful. Applicants submit a 500-700 word essay on their approach to science communication in agriculture, supporting materials such as articles, videos, podcasts, or graphics, and a short biography. Applications are reviewed by representatives from CAST's Animal, Plant, and Food Work Groups. Both honors will be presented at the CAST Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., alongside the Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA). The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. U.S.-based CSCS recipients will receive travel sponsorship to attend in person; international recipients will participate virtually. Nominate (CLAA): •here. •Deadline: July 31, 2026 Apply (CSCS): •here Deadline: July 31, 2026 About CAST The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) is a nonprofit organization composed of scientific societies, companies, corporations, and individuals. CAST assembles, interprets, and communicates credible science-based information to policymakers, the media, the private sector, and the public. Tweet |
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