Deadline: August 16, 2021
Applications are open for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Seeding the Future Global Food System Challenge 2021. The Challenge seeks to inspire and support passionate, creative, and diverse teams of innovators across multiple disciplines and cultures in helping to transform the food system.
Providing a growing global population with access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food for a healthy diet while maintaining the health of our planet will require transformational changes in the food system. It is expected that advances and discoveries in science and technology, as well as creative new approaches and collaborations across cultures and multiple disciplines, will lead to forward-thinking innovations with the potential for significant food system changes.
The goal of the Challenge is to support innovations that aim to make healthier diets more accessible on a global scale, and empower consumers to make choices benefitting both personal and planetary health.
Grants
- Seed Grants – $25,000
- Growth Grants – $100,000
- Seeding The Future Grand Prizes – $250,000
Eligibility
- Open to
- Non-profits located in any country
- Academic or research institutions located in any country
- Early-stage or emerging U.S. based for-profit companies
- An innovation should focus on at least two of the domains:
- Safe and Nutritious Food for a Healthy Diet
- Sustainable, Regenerative Practices
- Empower Conscious Consumer Choices
- Individuals are not eligible to apply. Please note, however, that teams of students or researchers may participate as part of an organization’s submission. Organizations are encouraged to form teams to compete in the Challenge. If two or more organizations form a team to compete, they should choose one of the organizations to serve as the applicant.
Application
To apply for funding, applicants must submit:
- Responses to the application questions
- A project timeline and budget
- Documents to verify their organizational status and financial standing.
U.S. based for-profit organizations must submit:
- Most recent financial statement that includes a budget and revenue (including disclosure of current levels of investment)
- Articles of incorporation
- Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Certificate of good standing, indicating that the business is properly registered with the state
U.S. based non-profit organizations must submit:
- Most recent financial statement (audited financials preferred but not required)
- Most recent 990
- IRS letter of determination
Non-profit organizations based outside of the United States must submit:
- Most recent financial statement (audited financials referred 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.
To ensure equity and fairness in the review process, applicants must have completed all requested materials and submit them by the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
For more information, visit IFT Challenge.
