Submit a Research Concept

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to support bold science. Our research, co-created with the food and agriculture community, fills critical research gaps and focuses on our cross-cutting Priority Areas.

Our public-private partnership model requires that every dollar of public funding be matched with at least one dollar from a private source. Some of FFAR’s funding opportunities require applicants and grantees to secure these matching funds. Carefully consider likely matching funders when proposing a research concept.

FFAR seeks input from the food and agriculture community to guide our program development, ensuring our research benefits the U.S. food and agriculture system. This platform offers a meaningful way for the community to share ideas for new programs and projects with FFAR. We invite you to share your research concept.

Proposing A Research Concept

Through this platform, FFAR considers concepts for programs and projects that align with our four Priority Areas and meet a set of requirements for FFAR funding. Review the eligibility criteria section to determine whether your concept is aligned with our Submit a Research Concept opportunity.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, use our Submit a Research Concept platform to share your idea. We only review completed research concepts submitted through this platform. Please carefully consider the details of your research concept and respond to each form question before submitting.

A concept submitted through this platform is not an application. Submitting a research concept neither commits us to launching projects in the proposed area nor entitles the submitter to receive funds from FFAR should a project be launched in that area. All data submitted through this platform is confidential and for FFAR use only.

If FFAR is interested in learning more about your concept, you will receive an email regarding next steps. Should FFAR decline to pursue your concept further, you will receive a brief response with an explanation for why FFAR is not pursuing your concept at this time. Please note that the volume of concepts we receive outpaces our ability to provide in-depth feedback for each response.

Eligibility Criteria

Please take a moment to determine whether your concept is aligned with our Submit a Research Concept opportunity. Eligibility requires that you answer “yes” to every question listed below.

• Are you intending to submit a research concept relevant to food and/or agriculture systems?
• Does your research concept primarily benefit U.S. agriculture and/or food systems?
• Do you have a clear idea of potential and/or secured matching funders? Note that this is not an application for funding, so matching funds are not required at this time, but should be considered before submitting a concept.
• Does your research concept fit within one of our four Priority Areas or does it otherwise address a pressing challenge in the U.S. food and agriculture industry?
• Is your research concept innovative in some way? Note that your concept should not be similar to research being conducted elsewhere.
• Does this research concept fit outside the scope of an already existing FFAR Open Opportunity or program?