The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), has announced three projects recommended for funding through the "Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs" Innovation Challenge. The selected projects will receive a total of $1.15 million, with Columbia University and the University of British Columbia each receiving $500,000, and From the Land, LLC receiving $150,000.

This initiative aims to promote high-risk, high-reward research at the intersection of nutrition security, equity and justice, and climate-smart agriculture. The USDA's Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young stated: "USDA challenged researchers to breakthrough current paradigms and respond with innovative ideas to transform approaches in food and ag science. The selected Innovation Prize projects are true pioneers and trailblazers, paving a path to our future."

The challenge received 91 applications from various sectors including academia, federal government, industry, and commodity groups across ten countries. FFAR Executive Director Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin expressed enthusiasm about the response: "We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response to this unique call geared towards early-career scientists that supports high-risk, high-reward research."

This collaborative investment focuses on transdisciplinary teams led by early-career scientists who have received their Ph.D.s within the past ten years. These teams aim to catalyze new discoveries that address significant societal challenges.

The global competition seeks to advance scientific research that can produce major breakthroughs in nutrition security while mitigating climate change impacts and promoting equity for underserved communities. Each project aligns with USDA’s Science & Research Strategy for 2023-2026 which emphasizes advancing disruptive approaches and technologies.

The announcement was made during the “USDA Science Showcase & Innovation Challenge Reveal” virtual event which celebrated USDA science and highlighted breakthrough solutions enabled by public agricultural research investments.

Given the potential of many submitted projects, FFAR is looking for additional funding partners whose goals align with these initiatives. Interested parties are invited to review narrated PowerPoints from finalists on the USDA-FFAR Innovation Challenge webpage or contact FFAR’s Partnership & Development Team at development@foundationfar.org.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is focusing on transforming America’s food system by promoting resilient local food production, ensuring access to nutritious food in all communities, building new markets using climate-smart practices, investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy capabilities while committing to equity across its departments.

To learn more about USDA’s initiatives visit www.usda.gov.

FFAR builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing significant food and agriculture challenges established under the 2014 Farm Bill. Their model matches federal funding from Congress with private funds delivering substantial returns on taxpayer investments through actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment.