Nominations open for the 2018 Maize-Asia Youth Innovators Awards

Are you a young woman or man below 35 years of age or do you know someone who is implementing innovations in Asian maize-based agri-food systems, including research-for-development, seed systems, agribusiness, and sustainable intensification? Nominate them for the 2018 Maize-Asia Youth Innovators Awards.

The awards, initiated by the CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE)  aim to identify young innovators who can serve to inspire other young people to get involved in maize-based agri-food systems. This is also aimed at creating a platform to allow young innovators from around the world to network and share their experiences. The award recipients will be given the opportunity to attend the 13th Asian Maize Conference in Ludhiana, India (October 8-12, 2018) where they will receive the awards in a ceremony on 10th October, and will be given the chance to present their work. The Conference will also present an opportunity for these young innovators to network with MAIZE researchers and partners, and exchange experiences. Award recipients may also get the opportunity to collaborate with MAIZE and its partner scientists in Asia on implementing or furthering their innovations.

MAIZE invites CGIAR researchers and partners to nominate young innovators for any of the following three categories:

a. Researcher: Maize research-for-development (in any discipline)

b. Farmer: Maize farming systems in Asia

c. Change agent: Maize value chains (i.e., extension agents, input and service suppliers, transformation agents).

Nominators/applicants are requested to take into account the following criteria and related questions:

i) Novelty and Innovative Spirit: What specific novel findings or innovation(s) has this young person has contributed to? (in any of the three categories mentioned above)

ii) Present/Potential Impact: What is the present/potential benefit or impact of the innovation in maize-based agri-food system?

Find more information on this link.