|
WASHINGTON, October 31, 2024 — Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of over $26.8 million as part of the USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The awards will support 42 small businesses conducting high-quality research that addresses critical scientific challenges and opportunities in agriculture.
“When small businesses succeed, local economies and communities do too,” said USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young. “Today’s investment underscores the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to supporting small businesses to grow and thrive and help their communities do the same. Science-based innovations from federally funded research, often developed through public-private partnerships, create products and services that increase productivity locally and enhance competitiveness for U.S. agriculture globally.”
The awards announced today include the second round of USDA NIFA-funded SBIR/STTR awards, and each proposes innovative or disruptive solutions ranging from food science and nutrition to conservation of natural resources. The program targets early-stage projects in the private sector poised to deliver significant public benefits and strengthen the role of federal research and development in support of small businesses, many of which are owned by women or historically underserved populations.
“The SBIR and STTR programs are crucial for nurturing small business innovation, driving economic growth and maintaining U.S. leadership in global technology,” said USDA NIFA Director Dr. Manjit K. Misra. “By providing early-stage funding, encouraging partnerships with academia and reducing financial risks for investors, these programs play a pivotal role in the development and commercialization of groundbreaking technologies.”
In the programs’ Phase II, grantees continue the research and development they completed in Phase I with a goal to commercialize and bring the innovation to market. Examples of funded projects include:
-
Developing Advanced Fire Forecasting Tools. Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing a significant threat to lives, property and natural resources. Effective wildfire management is crucial to mitigate these risks. With the project, “Commercializing Probabilistic Wildland Fire Prediction with Pyrecast,” researchers with Spatial Informatics Group of Pleasanton, CA, aim to enhance wildfire prediction and risk management through the development of advanced fire forecasting tools. Ultimately, this project will lead to improved wildfire management practices, enhanced safety for communities and firefighters, and reduced economic losses due to wildfires. ($650,000)
-
Improving Health and Nutrition of Children of Color. Children, especially children of color, who live in food and nutrition-insecure communities tend to have higher long-term incidences of hypertension, diabetes and childhood obesity. Grady's Garden of Janesville, WI, is a social mission-driven company that is positioned to address these challenges with its business model that includes branded nutritious food products, a Grady's Garden animation show that chronicles the lives of six young people who decide to create an urban garden, and a first-in-category "Grady's Garden App" technology. The project, “The Grady’s Garden Digital Edutainment and Engagement Project to Improve Health and Nutrition Among Children of Color Who Live in Underserved Communities,” will help policymakers, parents, schools, afterschool programs, and food retailers identify insights that improve the health of children and communities most in need. ($649,995)
-
Tackling the Global Plastic Pollution Crisis. Each year, between 19 to 23 million tons of plastics enter waterways around the globe. Sustainable Chemical LLC, of Golden, CO, aims to develop innovative, fully compostable and renewable bioplastics. The project, “An Improved Process for Making Biobased Materials,” uses a plant-based raw material that is cheaper than petrochemical raw materials and can be produced in volumes sufficient to meet the plastic industry's demand. Sustainable Chemical’s bioplastic will enhance the agriculture sector's role as a reliable supplier of raw materials to the plastic industry and reduce the environmental impact of thermoplastic manufacture, use and disposal. ($649,991)
View the complete list of the 42 funded SBIR/STTR projects:
- Forests and Related Resources (3 awards; $1,950,000)
- Plant Production and Protection – Biology (1 award; $650,000)
- Animal Production and Protection (1 award; $599,455)
- Conservation of Natural Resources (8 awards; $5,147,190)
- Food Science and Nutrition (4 awards; $2,499,545)
- Rural and Community Development (6 awards; $3,798,827)
- Biofuels and Biobased Products (5 awards; $3,148,162)
- Small and Mid-Size Farms (3 awards; $1,950,000)
- Plant Production and Protection – Engineering (6 awards; $3,849,952)
In 2023, USDA NIFA invested over $12.5 million for Phase I of the USDA SBIR/STTR programs. The Phase I awards supported 76 small businesses that are developing innovative technologies. For more information about Phase I awards, read USDA’s press release.
For more information about USDA’s SBIR/STTR programs, visit USDA NIFA’s website: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/sbir-sttr.
NIFA is building a better future by nurturing innovation in the food and agricultural sciences and cultivating equitable change in communities across the nation. Through investment in science as a solution to our greatest challenges, USDA NIFA collaborates with partners to drive research, education and Extension — improving lives, supporting livelihoods and sustaining the planet. In FY 2023, NIFA’s total investment was $2.5 billion.
Visit X: @USDA_NIFA; LinkedIn: USDA-NIFA. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
|
