- USDA-FFAR Innovation Challenge offers up to $2 million in funding for early-career scientists to advance nutrition security through interdisciplinary research integrating human health, climate-smart agriculture, and social justice.
- Key Goals: Develop advanced agricultural solutions, maintain U.S. leadership in innovation, and accelerate disruptive innovations aligned with USDA’s Science and Research Strategy.
- Eligibility: Open to early-career scientists within 10 years of receiving a Ph.D. and involving collaboration with diverse teams; applications must include project descriptions, video abstracts, and budget narratives, submitted via FFAR’s online system.
Apply and Join the USDA-FFAR Innovation Challenge
The USDA-FFAR Innovation Challenge, titled “Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs,” is a unique funding opportunity aimed at driving innovative research at the intersection of human health, climate-smart agriculture, and social justice. This initiative seeks proposals from early-career scientists to lead collaborative, interdisciplinary teams focused on advancing nutrition security.
Challenge Overview
Objectives
- Funding: Up to $2 million total, with individual grants ranging from $350,000 to $500,000.
- Target Areas:
- Dynamic and disruptive technologies in nutrition security.
- Professional interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary relationships.
- Integration of human health, climate-smart agriculture, and social equity.
- Leveraging existing resources in innovative ways.
Key Goals
- Develop advanced solutions for U.S. agriculture and food protection.
- Overcome barriers to developing agricultural technologies and research tools.
- Maintain U.S. leadership in agricultural innovation.
- Accelerate disruptive innovation aligned with USDA’s Science and Research Strategy (S&RS).
Focus on Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive innovation in this challenge can include:
- Radical Innovation: Creating fundamentally new approaches.
- Applied Innovation: Practical implementation of innovative concepts.
- Re-imagined Innovation: Redefining existing paradigms with new insights.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Institutions
- Domestic and international higher education institutions.
- Nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
- Government-affiliated research agencies.
Eligible Individuals
- Early-career scientists (within 10 years of receiving a Ph.D. or equivalent degree).
- Team leaders must be early in their independent research careers.
- Collaboration with diverse and interdisciplinary teams is essential.
Encouraged Institutions
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- 1890s Land Grant Institutions and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Tribal Colleges and Universities
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions
Application Guidelines
Required Application Components
- Project Title: Up to 250 characters.
- Principal Investigator (PI) Information: Name, affiliation, contact details.
- Key Project Personnel: Names, affiliations, expertise, project roles.
- Location(s) of Performance
- Video Abstract: A 3-minute pre-recorded narrated slide presentation.
- Project Description and Approach: Up to 1,000 words.
- Project goals and objectives.
- Innovative solutions proposed.
- Integration of health, agriculture, and social equity themes.
- Proposal Project Description: Up to 2,000 words.
- Addressed challenges and research hypotheses.
- High-risk, high-reward opportunities.
- Stakeholder engagement plans.
- Data Management Plan: Up to 250 words.
- Organization Assurances
- Budget Narrative: Up to 500 words.
- Budget Justification by Year: Up to 250 words.
Required Attachments
- Video Abstract: A three-slide summary.
- Current and Pending Support Form
- References Cited
- Bio Sketches: For PI and key personnel (up to 5 pages each).
- Supporting Figures, Tables, Graphics
- Letters of Support from Partners
Optional Attachments
- Additional Key Personnel
- Matching Fund Verification Letter(s) (if applicable)
Submission Process
Applications must be submitted through FFAR’s online Grant Management System by the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
Review Process
Evaluation Criteria
- Novelty, Innovation, and Originality (40%)
- Integration of USDA research priorities.
- Challenge to existing paradigms with disruptive solutions.
- Impacts and Outcomes (30%)
- Significant impact and relevance to U.S. and global food systems.
- Dissemination and application of results.
- Technical Merit and Feasibility (20%)
- Clear goals, objectives, and work plan.
- Feasible methods and risk mitigation.
- Partnerships and Team (10%)
- Novel partnership opportunities.
- Interdisciplinary team with diverse expertise.
Notification and Grant Terms
Selected applicants will be notified via email. Award notifications do not constitute an obligation until a fully executed Grant Agreement is in place. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.
Post-Award Management
- Interim Reports: Six-month updates on activities and accomplishments.
- Annual Reports: Scientific and financial updates on project progress.
- Final Report: Comprehensive report within 90 days of project completion.
Contact Information
For submission system questions, contact FFAR’s Grant Management team at grants@foundationfar.org.
For other inquiries, email Dr. LaKisha Odom at lodom@foundationfar.org or Dr. John Rothlisberger at john.rothlisberger@usda.gov.
Upcoming Q&A Webinar
Missed the June 13 webinar? Join the Q&A session on July 10 at 1 pm ET. Register here.
This challenge offers a significant opportunity for early-career scientists to contribute to groundbreaking research that supports nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. Apply now and become a part of the next generation of agrifood innovation.
