FFAR & OCP North America Open Applications for Fertilizer Efficiency Research Fellowship

New York

  • Agroecosystems
  • Scientific Workforce

Today, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and OCP North America, a global plant-nutrition company, launched the FFAR-OCP Disruptive Technology Fellowship, or the FFAR-OCP Fellowship. This funding opportunity supports up to five early-career scientists conducting research on fertilizer efficiency and technology development.

Fertilizer is beneficial to plant productivity; however, plants may not absorb all the applied fertilizer and excess fertilizer can lead to negative environmental effects. Farmers need improved fertilizer technologies and guidance to improve soil and plant health, crop productivity and environmental resilience. The FFAR-OCP Fellowship aims to provide research on precision fertilizer application methods, nutrient recommendation methods and guidance on land applications of animal waste to customize and enhance fertilizer efficiency.

This audacious research fellowship is investing in disruptive technologies that can improve overall crop productivity from the ground up. Investing in innovations that improve fertilizer use efficiency will decrease production costs, reduce environmental impacts and improve crop nutrient uptake. LaKisha Odom, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Director
Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems

Relevant research areas include organic fertilizers, intelligent fertilizers (based on a controlled release or carrier delivery system), enhanced efficiency fertilizers, biofertilizers, biostimulants or other specialty products. The technologies and research generated through this fellowship will increase plant uptake of essential macronutrients, boost productivity and limit the loss of inputs, which contribute largely to water and marine ecosystem damage.

Fellows may have the opportunity to partner with OCP and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco to co-develop novel fertilizer products that could be efficient for high-production and low-input agriculture following the completion of their research.

The application period for this fellowship closes on June 1, 2022. Funding for this fellowship is limited to only those projects that have demonstrated progress in the first phase of their research. Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. within the past ten years to be eligible for funding. Additional information, including details on how to apply, is available on the FFAR-OCP RFA webpage.

Each awardee may receive up to $75,000 in funding. As FFAR and OCP North America provided funding for this program, applicants are not required to secure additional funds.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect:
@FoundationFAR

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