The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Seeding the Future Foundation are calling on all scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and multidisciplinary teams from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profits, social enterprises, universities, research institutions as well as small and emerging for-profit enterprises to submit game-changing innovations that will help transform the food system.

Funding Organization: Hosted by IFT and funded by the Seeding The Future Foundation

Focus Areas:

• Empower Conscious Consumer Choices
• Sustainable Regenerative Practices
• Safe, Nutritious Food for a Healthy Diet

Eligibility:

To be eligible for an award, the project must be innovative, impactful and lead to new advances that benefit at least one but ideally more than one of the intersecting domains of the Innovation Focus Area, while not negatively affecting any of the other domains. Innovations that benefit two or more domains and are at an advanced development stage are eligible for the highest award levels. The definition of Innovation in the context of this challenge is: A novel idea, approach, concept or technology that is practicable and leads to a significant beneficial for people or the environment.

The following organizations 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

Maximum Award: The Challenge will provide three levels of awards:

• Seed Grants ($25,000 each)
• Growth Grants ($100,000 each)
• Seeding The Future Grand Prizes ($250,000 each)

Application Process: The Challenge will provide three levels of awards. Applications can only be submitted at one award level. Please review the Selection Criteria carefully to determine the appropriate award level for your project. To apply for funding, applicants must submit: 1) Responses to all application questions and 2) A project timeline and budget, to the challenge application portal: https://gfsc-application.ift.org/

Application Deadline: 6 January 2025

Further information: https://www.ift.org/food-system-challenge