Bangkok: The call for applications for the prestigious King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2025 is officially open, with a deadline set for 01 September 2025. This award, established in 2018, celebrates individuals or institutions that have significantly raised public awareness about soils through impactful World Soil Day (WSD) celebrations. It is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand and named in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who dedicated his life to promoting sustainable soil management for food security and poverty alleviation.

According to EMM, nominees for the award should be individuals or institutions that have made notable contributions to the promotion of healthy soil and sustainable soil management through exceptional WSD events held between 1 November and 31 December 2024. The nomination process involves FAO Members or their GSP focal points, with submissions being pre-screened and shortlisted by the GSP Secretariat. The final selection is conducted by a dedicated selection committee.

The award includes a prize of USD 15,000, a medal, and a trip to Thailand on 5 December. The winner will be announced during the annual WSD celebration organized by the Kingdom of Thailand. The award aims to honor and encourage organizers of WSD events at all levels, acknowledging their efforts in promoting soil awareness globally.

Previous recipients of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award include Practical Action in Bangladesh (2018), the Costa Rican Soil Science Society (AACS) in 2019, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2020, the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS) in 2021, the Institute of Geology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (IGI-UNAM) in 2022, and the Soil and Fertilizer Society of Thailand (SFST) in 2023.