Organisation Name:
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with JSW Foundation
Application Deadline:
15 September 2026
About Organisation
The M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is an Indian organisation focused on pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature development, with longstanding work in agriculture, nutrition, biodiversity, ecology and rural communities. For the Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar, MSSRF has partnered with JSW Foundation to create a national platform recognising women’s leadership and contributions to India’s agricultural and rural systems. The initiative aims to bring greater visibility to field-grounded women and women-led institutions whose knowledge, innovation and leadership are strengthening livelihoods, food systems and ecological resilience.
About the Grant
The Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar 2026 is a national award recognising women and women-led institutions contributing to agriculture, allied livelihoods, food systems, biodiversity, climate resilience, nutrition security and rural transformation. The award includes three main categories covering seeds and biodiversity, climate resilience and ecological stewardship, and nutrition security and rural livelihoods. A special Bhoomi Jaa Rashtriya Samman will recognise transformative leadership and women-centred innovation and technology design. Awardees will receive a citation, trophy, cash award of ₹3–7 lakh, national visibility and opportunities for professional networking and peer learning.
Who can Apply?
Individual applicants must be women who are Indian citizens and at least 18 years old. They should have made a significant contribution to agriculture, allied sectors or rural livelihoods, demonstrate sustained impact through leadership, innovation or community service, and normally have at least five years of relevant experience or contribution. Women-led institutions can include FPOs, FPCs, women’s collectives, SHG federations, producer collectives, NGOs, trusts, social enterprises, community seed banks, CBOs and academic or research institutions. Institutional applicants must be legally registered in India, operational for at least three years and demonstrate measurable community impact and sound governance.
How to Apply?
Applicants can self-nominate, while organisations and networks can also support women in submitting nominations. Online submission is preferred. Applicants should provide the completed nomination form, a citation describing achievements, evidence of impact, photographs and, where applicable, an institutional registration certificate and recommendation letters. Offline submission is also available through the Award Secretariat at MSSRF’s Chennai office.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 15 September 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
