FFAR Seeding Solutions Program – Proposals Invited for Innovations in Food and Agriculture
Established by the US Federal Government in 2014, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) funds innovative agricultural research and invests in the scientific workforce to address food and agriculture challenges.
Within the framework of the FFAR Seeding Solutions Program, FFAR encourages the development of unique partnerships that support innovative and transformative research focused on its Research Priority Areas.
To be considered, applications must address and provide solutions to an intractable problem and/or accelerate innovation within FFAR’s priority areas:
- Cultivating thriving production systems: Support for research that equips producers with information and tools to manage their enterprises efficiently and profitably, including animal and crop management practices.
- Sustaining vibrant agroecosystems: Support for research that provides tools, technologies and integrative models at scales that allow producers to build and maintain healthy, productive agroecosystems under a changing climate.
- Bolstering healthy food systems: Supports for research that provides food processors, distributors and retailers with the information and technology needed to create efficient and sustainable supply chains that deliver nutritious food to consumers.
Preference will be given to applications that address the following:
- Contribute to the goal of sustainable food and agriculture.
- Accelerate innovation within FFAR’s priority areas.
- Demonstrate fully integrated partnerships with different sectors so research outcomes may be scalable and applicable to food and agriculture systems.
- Uphold FFAR’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by seeking unique perspectives through participatory stakeholder engagement and developing results to serve the diverse stakeholders committed to addressing challenges related to food supply and agricultural sustainability.
- Serve the public good by making data open and accessible, creating unique economic development opportunities, or contributing to food and agriculture workforce development.
The scheme is open to higher education institutions, non-profit organisations and for-profit organisations based in any country. US government-affiliated research agencies are also eligible. Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) may apply to the scheme through their home institution or organisation.
Although international organisations can apply, the proposal must identify a clear benefit to the US food and agriculture system, and a clear pathway to deploy the technology or solution in the US. FFAR will prioritise research that delivers broader benefits across geographies and production systems while ensuring mutual benefit for the US and other nations.
A budget of up to $10 million is available to support up to 10 awards. Individual awards will range from $300,000 to $1 million. All projects must have planned durations ranging between 12 and 60 months.
There is a two-stage application process consisting of a mandatory pre-application proposal followed by an invited full application.