Funding up to $250,000 for transformative innovations addressing global food system challenges, inspiring solutions for nutritious food access, sustainable practices, and enhanced consumer trust worldwide.
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What is the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge?
The Seeding the Future Global Food System Challenge, hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and funded by the Seeding the Future Foundation, supports transformative innovations that address critical global food system challenges. With up to USD 1 million or approximately AUD 1.54 million in annual grants and prizes, this program aims to inspire game-changing solutions that benefit nutritious food access, sustainable practices, and consumer trust.
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge level of support
Funding Ranges:
- Seed Grants: USD 25,000 (approximately AUD 38,500) each.
- Growth Grants: USD 100,000 (approximately AUD 154,000) each.
- Grand Prizes: USD 250,000 (approximately AUD 385,000) each.
Co-Contribution Requirements: The grant guidelines do not explicitly require co-contributions. Applicants should confirm with the funding body for clarity on this matter.
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge important dates
- Application Deadline: 6 January 2025
- Seed Grant Winners Announced: February 2025
- Growth Grants and Grand Prizes Finalists Announced: March 2025
- Finalist Interviews: May 2025
- Award Recipients Announced: June 2025
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge objectives
The Challenge seeks to:
- Foster innovations that ensure safe, nutritious, and appealing food for all.
- Promote sustainable, regenerative food production practices.
- Enhance equitable access to affordable and trusted food products globally.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge support
Eligible projects must demonstrate:
- Innovative and impactful ideas addressing one or more Innovation Focus Areas.
- Potential to transform food systems at scale and over time.
- Alignment with at least one, ideally two or more, Innovation Focus Areas: 1) Nutritious food for a healthy diet, 2) Sustainable and regenerative practices, and 3) Accessible, affordable, and trusted consumer choices.
Ineligible projects and expenditures:
- Projects that have a negative effect on either the safety or healthfulness of food, the sustainability of the food supply chain or, that are unlikely to be accepted by the end-user or consumer
- Theoretical concepts or ideas without any experiments or a reduction to practice
- Individual persons
- Projects where funds will be used to support large commercial entities in their commercial activities such as R&D, Innovation, Manufacturing or Sales/Marketing.
- Local, community-based initiatives which are not scale-able beyond the initial project scope and limited projected impact over time.
- Projects associated with political campaigns or lobbying
- Capital campaigns
- For Profit entities with significant financial assets or which passed Series A financing round
Other Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge support
The following organisations are eligible to compete in the Challenge:
- Non-profits located in any country
- Academic or research institutions located in any country
- Early-stage or emerging for-profit companies located in any country*
*Excluded are countries or territories against which the U.S. maintains comprehensive sanctions (currently, Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic Regions of Ukraine).
Individuals are not eligible to apply. Please note, however, that teams of students or researchers may participate as part of an organisation’s submission. Organisations are encouraged to form teams to compete in the Challenge. If two or more organisations form a team to compete, they should choose one of the organisations to serve as the applicant.
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed on:
- Innovation Quality: Novelty and practicability of the idea.
- Impact Potential: Long-term benefits to people and the environment.
- Focus Area Alignment: Alignment with one or more Innovation Focus Areas.
- Project Plan: Detailed scope, timeline, and budget.
- Multidisciplinarity: Inclusion of diverse expertise and disciplines.
- Scalability and Feasibility: Economic and operational viability at scale.
- Catalytic Effect: Ability of the funding to accelerate the project.
- Risk Assessment: Identification and mitigation of foreseeable risks.
While specific scoring percentages are not provided, applicants should ensure their submissions are comprehensive and align with the program’s objectives.
How do I get the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge application
Applicants should gather and prepare:
- Completed application form with detailed project descriptions.
- Organisational and financial documentation.
- Vision and mission statements.
- A project timeline and budget.
- Tax status documentation (for non-profits and for-profits).
- A short video pitch highlighting the project’s innovation and impact.
See the guidelines for more details of information requirements.
Applying for the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge
Applicants must complete the online application form via gfsc-application.ift.org/.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge resources
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