FAO 2023 Science and Innovation Forum

In 2023, the global World Food Forum (WFF) theme is “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action.” Under the umbrella of the WFF flagship event, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Science and Innovation Forum (SIF) will focus on “Science and Innovation for Climate Action.” The FAO SIF will take place October 16-20 in a hybrid format at FAO headquarters in Rome and through a digital platform.

The FAO SIF 2023 will allow a more focused and strategic debate on how science, technology and innovation are essential to transform agrifood systems and how working towards this transformation consequently boosts climate action. The SIF will explore the major scientific developments; debate the opportunities and solutions they present; and will work to develop innovative solutions and concrete actions to be taken. It will also highlight successful cases of technologies and innovations at the crossroads of agrifood systems transformation and climate action.

Check out the program and register to attend. To join discussions about SIF 2023 on social media, follow @FAOScienceChief and use the official event hashtags #SIF2023 and #AgInnovation.

FAO 2023 graphic. Image courtesy of FAO.

ICYMI

September 11 Deadline for Returning Grant Funds

Due to the fiscal year-end financial system processing schedule, NIFA will not accept returned funds from the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system from September 11 through October 2. We appreciate your understanding and support. If you have any questions or concerns about returning funds during this period, please contact NIFA’s ASAP Support Team at ASAPCustomerService@USDA.gov.

NIFA Seeks 2023 Hall of Fame and Partnership Award Nominees 

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has extended the deadline to September 15 for nominations for its 2023 NIFA Partnership Award Category V—Program Improvement through Global Engagement. Visit the Partnership website for complete details, instructions and forms. Nominations for Category V only must be submitted by September 15 via email to performance@ars.usda.gov.

Read More: Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.

Award Announcements

USDA NIFA Grows Private Sector Tech Innovation in Food and Agriculture 

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced an investment of more than $12.5 million as part of the USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The Phase I awards will support 76 small businesses in conducting high-quality research that addresses critical scientific challenges and opportunities in agriculture. Learn more about this investment.

NIFA Invests $11.6 Million in Projects that Promote Healthy Pollinator Populations

NIFA is investing $11.6 million in 25 projects that will focus on improving overall pollinator populations and pollinator health. NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Pollinator Health: Research and Application program supports projects that promote healthy populations of animal pollinators in agricultural systems where reliance of crops on pollinators for pollination services is increasing and where declines of pollinators is evident. Pollinator health projects address the problem of declining populations of managed and wild pollinators, such as bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles and bats.

NIFA Invests $3.4 Million to Provide Farmers Greater Access to Plant Cultivars

NIFA is investing more than $3.4 million in seven projects to ensure farmers have improved access to plant cultivars. The Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development program within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative supports public breeding efforts that provide farmers with greater access to locally and regionally adapted cultivars. Projects address later stages of cultivar development with the primary goal of producing improved, finished cultivars for public release with benefits to both producers and consumers. 

NIFA Invests $3.2 Million in Rural Food Animal Veterinary Medicine Across the U.S.

NIFA recently announced 20 Veterinary Service Grants Program (VSGP) awards to help mitigate food animal veterinary service shortages in the United States. The goals of the VSGP are to support food animal veterinary medicine through education, Extension, and training (EET) funds for accredited schools and organizations and through rural practice enhancement (RPE) funds for veterinary clinics that provide services in veterinary shortage situation areas. This program is designed to support education and Extension activities that will enable veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary technicians gain specialized food animal skills and practices. 

• August 30, 12 p.m. EDT: Transdisciplinary Approaches: What They Are and Why They’re Important
• August 30, 2 p.m. EDT: Virtual Stakeholder Listening Session: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
• September 28, 3 p.m. EDT: AFRI Predoctoral Fellowships RFA Technical Assistance Q&A Session
• October 3, 11:30 a.m. EDT: Food & Nutrition Security Webinar: Local/Regional Food Systems
• November 2, 2:30 p.m. EDT: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems 
• November 16, 2:30 p.m. EST: 2024 National 4-H Conference Information Session

NIFA webinar graphic.

New UCF Project Examines Key Role Soils Play in Keeping the Planet Cool

A new project from the University of Central Florida is looking to the soils for a way to cool the skies.

Funded by a nearly $750,000 grant from USDA NIFA, the research will examine a method to keep carbon from escaping soils and becoming the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, it warms the Earth by trapping heat.

The research is important as NASA has reported that the Earth has seen some of the hottest temperatures on record this summer. Learn more about this project.

Soil and carbon dioxide illustration. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

USDA Seeks Partner to Evaluate Impact of Food Supply Chain Funding

USDA is seeking proposals to evaluate Rural Development’s food supply chain programs. The agency is making $750,000 available to measure how well USDA Rural Development programs are creating market opportunities for small- and mid-sized farmers and independent agricultural businesses throughout the food supply chain.

Learn more at USDA Seeks Partner to Evaluate Impact of Food Supply Chain Funding. Applications are due September 8. Contact Kasey.martin@usda.gov or lynn.khadiagala@usda.gov with questions.

Food and Nutrition Security Student Internship

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is accepting applications for a Student Trainee in Nutrition until September 5. The Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Visit USAJobs.gov for more information.

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Join NIFA for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program informational webinar on Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. EDT. The webinar discusses how to utilize NIFA resources and prepare a competitive application, adhering to the Funding Year 2024 Request for Applications guidelines.

The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program supports projects that work across the food system to increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; and promotes comprehensive responses to local food access, farm and nutrition issues, including strategies to reduce food waste and other agricultural needs that mutually benefit agricultural producers and consumers