The 2026 Georg and Greta Borgström Prize for Global Food Security is conferred by the Royal Swedish Academy of Forestry and Agriculture
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Professor William A. Masters Awarded Prize for Global Food Security
The Royal Swedish Academy of Forestry and Agriculture (KSLA) has named Professor William A. Masters the recipient of the 2026 Georg and Greta Borgström Prize for Global Food Security. Professor Masters is a faculty member at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. The award, which includes a prize of SEK 100,000, honors exceptional contributions to global food security and to the ecological, demographic, and economic challenges that shape it.
Awarded through the Georg and Greta Borgström Foundation Endowment Fund, the prize recognizes individuals whose work reflects the spirit and legacy of Georg Borgström. Professor Masters is internationally known for research that brings together economics, agriculture, and nutrition to expand access to healthy, affordable food around the world.
“With better data on the cost and affordability of healthy diets, governments and businesses can bring nutritious options within reach for everyone.”
At the Friedman School, Professor Masters’ work directly supports the school’s mission to translate rigorous research into real-world impact. His research explores how food systems can be designed to deliver healthier diets more equitably, informing policy and practice across diverse global contexts.
The prize will be formally presented at the Academy’s Ceremonial Meeting at Stockholm City Hall on January 28, 2026. “I am thrilled to see this recognition of how our projects have helped guide decision makers,” said Professor Masters. “With better data on the cost and affordability of healthy diets, governments and businesses can bring nutritious options within reach for everyone.”
A related event—part lecture, part celebration—will take place on February 4 as part of the Friedman School Speaker Series. The event will spotlight the Food Prices for Nutrition project, featuring insights from colleagues at the Gates Foundation, FAO, and the World Bank, government officials from Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana, and Pakistan, and reflections from Friedman School students and alumni who have contributed to this prize-winning research over the years.
Interested in taking a deep dive into food policy and economics research? Explore our related specializations: Agriculture, Food, and Environment; Food Policy, Programs, and Economics; Food Systems Modeling.
