The New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award, offered by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), is designed to support early-career scientists in their pursuit of innovative agricultural and food research. Recognizing the difficulties young faculty members face in securing research funding, FFAR established this award to help promising researchers focus exclusively on their scientific work without the immediate pressure of securing additional grants. The program provides significant financial support to researchers whose work aligns with FFAR’s Research Priority Areas.

This grant targets faculty members who have been in a tenure-track position for no longer than three years and are within eight years of earning their Ph.D. To be eligible, applicants must not have received significant prior research funding, which is defined as securing a substantial research grant spanning three to five years or accumulating over $1 million in project funding within their tenure. The award prioritizes researchers who have creative ideas and the necessary skills and resources to carry out their proposed projects. All research must align with U.S. agricultural interests.

The funding amount for each awardee is up to $150,000 per year for three years, totaling a maximum of $450,000. Notably, this grant does not require matching funds, though additional funding is encouraged. Indirect costs are limited to 10% of the total award, and the funding cannot be used for construction or renovation costs. Salaries for principal investigators are allowed only for time not covered by institutional or other grants, and effort must align with the proposed research.

Applicants must be nominated by their institution before submitting a full application. The nomination period opens on January 8, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST, and nominations are due by February 19, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST through FFAR’s Grants Portal. Institutions can nominate only one faculty member for the award. Once nominations are reviewed, invited nominees will be notified on February 26, 2025, and full applications must be submitted by April 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. EDT.

FFAR encourages participation from a diverse range of institutions, particularly Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions. Collaborations are also encouraged, and applicants should include letters of support from key collaborators outlining the nominee’s potential for success.

The anticipated number of awards is up to twelve, with the final number depending on proposal quality and budgets. The grant award date is expected to be in Winter 2025. Interested applicants must submit their applications via FFAR’s Grant Management System, as submissions outside of this system will not be considered. All inquiries regarding the grant must be directed to grants@foundationfar.org, with FFAR aiming to respond within two business days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.