Dear Colleagues,

Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) is accepting applications to the Seeding Solutions grant program.

Seeding Solutions applicants are required to complete a pre-proposal. As the Seeding Solutions program supports innovation and partnership, applications must describe transformative research that addresses and provides solutions to an intractable problem and accelerates innovation within FFAR's Challenge Areas.

FFAR defines innovation for this request for applications (RFA) in three categories:

1. Applied Innovation: Application and validation of new or emerging technologies, processes or management strategies to address major challenges in food and agriculture.

2. Re-imagined Innovation: Adaptation of existing technologies, processes or management strategies for use in entirely new agricultural applications.

3. Radical Innovation: Development of new technologies, software, algorithms, methodology or products.

For 2019, FFAR anticipates funding at least one meritorious and transformative application in each of our newly redesigned Challenge Areas:

• Advanced Animal Systems: Tim Kurt, tkurt@foundationfar.org
• Health-Agriculture Nexus: Lucyna Kurtyka, lkurtyka@foundationfar.org
• Next Generation Crops: Jeff Rosichan, jrosichan@foundationfar.org
• Soil Health: LaKisha Odom, lodom@foundationfar.org
• Sustainable Water Management: LaKisha Odom, lodom@foundationfar.org
• Urban Food Systems: John Reich, jreich@foundationfar.org

To be considered, applications should:

• Leverage partnerships with multiple sectors (private, NGOs, governments, academia, end users, etc.), such that research outcomes may be scalable and applicable to existing food and agriculture systems. Applications that demonstrate strong partnerships by way of matching from external sources outside the applicant institutions are encouraged. These partners may include but are not limited to private sector, non-profits, commodity and trade groups, state governments, and others that do not traditionally work in agriculture.

• 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 nonrenewable 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.” (Food and Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of1990, Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603).

• Serve the public by making data open and accessible, creating unique economic development opportunities, and/or contributing to food and agriculture workforce.

To date, FFAR has awarded nearly $8 million to innovative projects during the 2017 Seeding Solutions program, which when matched, invested $16.6 million in agricultural research and innovation.  Every year, FFAR funds at least one proposal in each of our Challenge Areas, typically awarding each applicant between $300,000 and $1 million.  At least one-to-one match is required for this opportunity. Matching funds must come from a non-federal source

If you are interested in applying, please submit a pre-application by April 19th.  Application materials are available at https://foundationfar.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Seeding-Solutions-2019-RFA-FINAL.pdf

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)