Funding Opportunity Drives Packaging Innovation for US Growers

Emerging restrictions on single-use and plastic packaging are limiting access for U.S. specialty crops in global markets. To address this, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), in partnership with Clemson University (Clemson), the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, is seeking commercial research proposals through the Packaging Innovation Program to advance packaging innovations for U.S producers and specialty crop exporters.

FFAR is accepting applications on behalf of Clemson University and the FFP for the Packaging Innovation Program, a competitive grant opportunity to develop packaging and packaging alternatives for specialty crops that comply with emerging packaging requirements in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and other key markets.

The program builds on the success of last year’s initiative, which funded research advancing compostable, reusable and recyclable packaging materials to help U.S. exporters meet emerging global packaging regulations.

The program seeks novel packaging and packaging alternatives that can replace single-use packaging and plastics while meeting key packaging functions, such as preserving quality and extending shelf life, in an economical and scalable way. 

FFAR is hosting an informational webinar about this opportunity from noon to 1:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 10, 2025. Participants must register to attend. 

Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST Dec. 17, 2025.  For more information and to apply, visit the Packaging Innovation Program open opportunity webpage.

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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