Nominations are now open for the 2026 Jeanie Borlaug Laube WIT Awards, which support the next generation of leaders in wheat research and improvement.
Presented by the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), the WIT Awards invest in outstanding early-career scientists whose work strengthens global capacity to address wheat diseases and advance food security. Recipients of the 2026 awards will participate in advanced scientific and leadership training designed to accelerate their research and expand their professional networks within the global wheat community.
Applications for the 2026 WIT Awards will be accepted through 23 February 2026.
Named in honor of Jeanie Borlaug Laube — Chair of the BGRI and daughter of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman E. Borlaug — the WIT Awards have recognized exceptional early-career wheat scientists worldwide since 2010. To date, more than 80 scientists have been honored through the program.
About the BGRI
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) is an international collaborative effort dedicated to protecting the world’s wheat supply from rust and other diseases. Established in 2005 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and based at Cornell University, the BGRI works to develop and deploy disease-resistant wheat varieties through cutting-edge research, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives. By uniting scientists, breeders, and policymakers, the BGRI aims to safeguard wheat production and ensure the stability of a vital global food source.
