U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently convened with South Carolina farmers at South Carolina State University to highlight USDA and Biden administration initiatives supporting medium and small farms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research have unveiled a groundbreaking challenge to drive scientific research aimed at revolutionizing nutrition security, combating climate change, and advancing equity within underserved communities.
Advancing Scientific Breakthroughs
The 'Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs' (Innovation Challenge) seeks to fund transdisciplinary teams helmed by early-career scientists who obtained their Ph.D. within the past decade. These teams will spearhead new discoveries and propel transformative research addressing critical societal challenges. By fostering innovation at the nexus of nutrition security, equity, and climate-smart agriculture, the Innovation Challenge aims to catalyze high-risk, high-reward research initiatives.
Supporting Emerging Researchers
With an emphasis on nurturing the next wave of researchers, this opportunity aims to provide resources for exceptionally creative and promising early-career scientists. The USDA and FFAR have allocated up to $2 million to successful applicants leading multiple teams. These teams are required to present a compelling vision demonstrating how their research can bolster sustainable food production, enhance human health, and diminish inequities while fortifying real-world nutrition security.
A Vision for the Future
Secretary Tom Vilsack underscored the importance of investing in disruptive ideas and innovative solutions within agricultural science. He highlighted the need for transdisciplinary science to fortify the nation's agrifood systems and expressed the agencies' dedication to supporting forward-thinking problem solvers striving to enhance food security.
Empowering Scientific Minds
The Innovation Challenge launch took place during Harvesting Hope: USDA's Agrifood Innovation Symposium, an engaging event promoting scientific advancement within the agrifood sector. The symposium, organized in collaboration with FFAR, showcased innovative solutions and lightning talks on scientific breakthroughs facilitated by USDA investments, aimed at fostering a more nourishing, sustainable, and fair agrifood system.
Driving Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, emphasized the importance of inspiring innovative ideas and fostering collaborations among early-career scientists to address challenges in agriculture collectively.
Call for Action
The Innovation Challenge invites eligible researchers from various educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and governmental research agencies to propose projects advancing disruptive approaches and technologies in alignment with USDA's Science & Research Strategy and FFAR's Research Strategy. Rather than viewing climate, nutrition security, and equity as separate challenges, teams are encouraged to identify the interconnected nature of these issues.
Pioneering Research
A share of $1 million in funding from the USDA has been allocated for this opportunity, derived from resources allocated by Congress to the Office of the Chief Scientist. FFAR Executive Director Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin expressed enthusiasm for empowering early-career scientists to spearhead interdisciplinary teams focused on advancing breakthrough research related to human health, climate change, and social equity.
Application Details
Researchers keen to participate in the Innovation Challenge must submit their applications by Monday, July 29. For additional information, visit www.foundationfar.org/grants-funding/opportunities/usda-ffar-innovation-challenge/.