Key Takeaways
- Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) announced the Geospatial Innovation for Food Security Challenge (GIFS).
- Up to $2 million will be awarded to cross-disciplinary teams tackling agricultural and food system challenges.
- Each team may receive up to $550,000 for projects focused on crop modeling, nitrogen efficiency, and supply chain resilience.
- The initiative seeks collaborations between academia, industry, and non-profits.
- Applications are open through October 31, 2025.
Taylor Geospatial Institute Announces Major Funding Program
Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) has launched the Geospatial Innovation for Food Security Challenge (GIFS), committing up to $2 million to projects that apply geospatial technology to sustainable agriculture and global food security. The program encourages proposals from collaborations spanning academia, industry, and non-profits.
Rachel Opitz, Program Manager for GIFS, said: “Food security is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, and geospatial technology is uniquely positioned to drive solutions. Through this Challenge, we’re bringing together diverse expertise to accelerate innovations that can have a measurable impact—locally, nationally, and globally.”
Taylor Geospatial Institute Challenge Priorities
The initiative will provide up to $550,000 per team for projects in three main areas:
- Advanced crop modeling to assess shifts in production due to climate and market pressures.
- Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) tools for nitrogen efficiency to reduce waste and environmental impacts.
- Agri-food supply chain modeling to strengthen resilience and address food insecurity.
Projects must demonstrate both technical innovation and real-world impact on food systems.
Taylor Geospatial Institute’s Role in Regional and Global Innovation
The Challenge aligns with Taylor Geospatial Institute’s mission to position the St. Louis region as a global hub for geospatial innovation. By fostering partnerships that connect research with industry and non-profits, TGI aims to address urgent societal challenges while advancing sustainable agriculture.
Applications for the Geospatial Innovation for Food Security Challenge are open until October 31, 2025, with awards expected to be announced following review.
