Request for Applications: Seeding Solutions Program (United States)

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research invite applications for innovative and transformative research that supports producers and their communities, sustains the environment and enables processors and retailers to deliver foods that equitably nourish the population. FFAR seeks to award approximately ten meritorious applications, prioritizing those that emphasize a commitment to cross-sector partnerships.

Program Priorities and Requirements

• FFAR seeks projects that foster innovation with the potential for transformative impact within the Priority Areas, including Cultivating Thriving Production Systems, Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems, and Bolstering Healthy Food Systems. Applications that address the following will receive preference:
  • Contribute to the goal of sustainable food and agriculture, defined as practices that “satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operation; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”
  • Accelerate innovation within FFAR’s Priority Areas. For this request for applications (RFA), FFAR defines innovation as follows:
    • Radical Innovation: Development of new technologies, algorithms, methodology, or products with the potential to transform agricultural systems.
    • Applied Innovation: Application and validation of new or emerging technologies, processes, or management strategies to address significant challenges in food and agriculture systems.
    • Re-imagined Innovation: Adaptation of existing technologies, processes, or management strategies for entirely new agricultural applications.
  • Fit within FFAR’s Priority Areas.
    • Cultivating Thriving Production Systems: supports research that equips producers with information and tools to manage their enterprises efficiently and profitably, including animal and crop management practices
    • Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems: supports 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 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
  • Demonstrate fully integrated partnerships with different sectors so research outcomes may be scalable and applicable to food and agriculture systems. The proposed research program should clearly be expected to benefit the U.S. food and agriculture system.
  • Uphold FFAR’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) 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.

Funding Information

• At FFAR’s discretion, they will award of approximately $10M in grants through the 2024 Seeding Solution program. Individual awards must range from U.S. $300K to U.S. $1M.
• Projects must have planned durations ranging between 12 and 60 months. Successful projects will receive annual disbursements.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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 Seeding Solutions program through their home institution or organization.
• The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research welcomes applications from all domestic and international higher education institutions, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and U.S. government-affiliated research agencies. The following principles guide FFAR’s international engagement under this Seeding Solutions RFA:
  • The proposal must identify a clear benefit to the U.S. food and agriculture system and a clear pathway to deploy the technology or solution in the U.S.
  • FFAR will prioritize research that delivers broader benefits across geographies and production systems while ensuring mutual benefit for the U.S. and other nations.
• FFAR will not support research that addresses a challenge primarily limited to another country or region outside the U.S. or where the technology or solution is not broadly relevant to the U.S.

For more information, visit FFAR.