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FFAR Seeks Nominations for 2019 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award

Washington, D.C.

  • Scientific Workforce

WASHINGTON (January 16, 2019) – The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) today begins accepting nominations for the 2019 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award. This award supports early-career scientists pursuing research that sustainably enhances agricultural production or improves health through food. FFAR will grant as many as 10 awards and each awardee may receive up to $600,000 (including matching funds), over three years.

The future of agriculture will be defined by an innovative scientific workforce that aims to modernize how food is grown, processed and distributed. The New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award is a unique opportunity to support the emerging superstars in agriculture and food research. We are excited to bring their ideas to the table and ultimately take their research to fruition through this program. Sally Rockey, Ph.D.
Executive Director Emeritus

The New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award provides early-career scientists the investment needed to launch successful scientific careers in food and agriculture. By investing in scientists and faculty members at the onset of their careers, this award allows them to pursue research uninhibited by the pressure of identifying the next grant. The New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award is reserved for highly creative, promising scientists whose ground-breaking research has the potential to address major challenges facing food and agriculture.

Institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are encouraged to nominate up to two candidates for the Award who hold tenure-track or equivalent positions and meet the eligibility criteria specified in the Call for Nominations. Applications from eligible nominees will be evaluated on their research program proposals as well as a demonstrated commitment to mentoring future generations of agricultural and food scientists. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 28, 2019 at 3pm EST.

In December 2018, the nine recipients of the 2018 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award were granted a total of $4.67 million from FFAR and matching funders.

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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.

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