Key Takeaways:
- The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge offers USD $1 million annually to scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs for food system innovations.
- The challenge is open to NGOs, non-profits, universities, and small for-profit enterprises, offering Grand Prizes of USD $250,000, Growth Grants of USD $100,000, and Seed Grants of USD $25,000.
- Innovations are evaluated on feasibility, scalability, and impact on human health, sustainability, and equitable access to food.
- The fourth annual challenge opens for applications on November 1, 2024 and closes on January 6, 2025.
The Seeding The Future Foundation and the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) are pleased to announce the return of the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge, an initiative awarding USD $1 million annually to innovators working to transform global food systems. Since its inception three years ago, the challenge has drawn over 2,400 submissions, recognizing breakthroughs in food system innovations that promote sustainability, nutrition, and equitable food access.
Challenge Awards and Criteria
The challenge offers three levels of awards:
- Up to two Grand Prize winners (each receiving USD $250,000)
- Up to three Growth Grant winners (each receiving USD $100,000)
- Up to eight Seed Grant winners (each receiving USD $25,000)
Winners are selected based on their innovations’ feasibility, scalability, and potential for high impact on global food systems, particularly in improving human health and the environment.
“Science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are key pillars to transform food systems on a global level, and the need for climate-positive and human-centered food solutions becomes more urgent every year,” said Bernhard van Lengerich, founder of the Seeding The Future Foundation. “The purpose of the Challenge is to inspire and reward teams of innovators who are creating impactful ideas that address key issues facing food systems globally.”
Applications Open in November 2024
The fourth annual Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge will accept applications starting November 1, 2024, with a deadline of January 6, 2025. Innovators from across the food and agriculture sectors are encouraged to begin preparing their submissions.
To learn more about the application process, visit the IFT website.
New Innovation Library and Network
For the first time, the 2024 challenge will introduce the Seeding The Future Global Food System Innovation Library and Network. This searchable database will feature peer-reviewed innovations submitted during the challenge. The platform will enable AI-assisted searches and connections between solution seekers and solution providers for collaborative opportunities.
The database will be accessible to leading global organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and investors including venture capital and private equity firms. This initiative is designed to accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Supporting the Next Generation of Food Innovators
“For 85 years, IFT has been proud to support the advancement of food through science, technology, and innovation,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “We are proud to once again support the Challenge as it helps inspire the next generation of food innovators to improve food nutrition, security, and sustainability.”