Deadline: January 6, 2025
Open to: Individuals, non-profits, academic/research institutions, and companies globally that are dedicated to transforming the global food system.
Benefits: Winning proposals will receive grant awards totaling $1 million, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. The award covers project funding for innovative solutions aimed at food system transformation.
Description:
The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge aims to inspire and support bold, creative ideas and impactful innovations that will help build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system. This initiative, supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation and managed by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), focuses on three critical areas: safe and nutritious food, equitable access to food, and sustainable practices in food production. The challenge is designed for projects that can provide scalable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing food security and environmental sustainability issues.
Eligibility:
Open to all individuals, non-profit organizations, academic and research institutions, and companies that are legally registered. Projects must focus on sustainable food system innovations and have a clear plan for potential impact and scalability.
Benefits:
Winners will receive grant awards Seed Grants ($25,000 each), Growth Grants ($100,000 each) or Seeding The Future Grand Prizes ($250,000 each) with the potential for future support. Awards are intended to fund the development and scaling of innovative projects that align with the challenge’s objectives of improving food security, sustainability, and equity.
How to apply?
- Prepare Your Proposal: Start by developing a clear and impactful proposal. Ensure your project addresses one or more of the challenge’s focus areas: safe and nutritious food, equitable access to food, or sustainable practices in food production.
- Create an Account on the Official Portal: Visit the application portal. You will need to create an account if you’re a first-time applicant. This will allow you to save your application progress and submit multiple documents if required.
- Complete the Online Application Form: Fill out the detailed online application, including project goals, expected outcomes, and scalability plans. Be sure to clearly explain how your project will positively impact food security, sustainability, or access to nutrition.
- Upload Supporting Documents: Alongside your application, you may need to submit supporting documents like project plans, budgets, organizational information, or team member bios, depending on the scope and requirements of your proposal.
- Review and Submit: Before submitting, thoroughly review your application for completeness and accuracy. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation email, and your application status can be tracked through the portal.
- Wait for Notification: After submission, applications will undergo a review process by a panel of experts in food systems.
For-profit organizations* must submit:
- Most recent financial statement that includes a budget and revenue (including disclosure of current levels of investment and financial assets)
- Articles of Incorporation or similar documents
- Federal Tax ID Number (US), or tax status documentation
- Certificate of good standing, indicating that the business is properly registered with the state or country
U.S.-based non-profit organizations must submit:
- Most recent financial statement (audited financials preferred but not required)
- Most recent 990 -OR-
- IRS letter of determination
Non-profit organizations based outside of the United States must submit:
- Most recent financial statement (audited financials preferred but not required)
- Documentation verifying that the applicant organization is currently registered as a non-profit organization (equivalent to a US 501(c)(3) public charity) in its country. Please note that IFT may follow up to request additional documentation to verify the applicant’s non-profit status.
*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).
To ensure equity and fairness in the review process, applicants must have completed all requested materials and submit them by the deadline indicated above. Late or incomplete submissions cannot be considered.
Please contact foodsystemchallenge@ift.org with any questions.
For more information, please visit the official website.