USDA Science and Research Strategy

Innovation Challenge

On June 11, 2024, Secretary Vilsack announced the “Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs” Innovation Challenge. Presented in partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), this challenge will fund selected dynamic and disruptive research projects and technologies to advance nutrition security.

Competitive proposals will simultaneously address themes of human nutrition and health; climate-smart agriculture; and social equity, justice and opportunity. A total of $1-2 million will be awarded across multiple teams and projects to pursue unconventional ideas with the potential to produce major breakthroughs.

Apply Today

Applications are due Monday, July 29, 2024.

To find out more, register for the information webinar, and view the Request for Application, you may visit the following link: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Innovation Challenge page.

USDA Science and Research Strategy

The "USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023-2026: Cultivating Scientific Innovation" presents a vision for transforming U.S. agriculture through science and innovation, and outlines USDA’s highest scientific priorities. Learn how you can become part of this visionary strategy. Chart a course towards addressing pressing societal challenges by seizing opportunities to revolutionize the food, agriculture, and natural resource sectors.

Download the Strategy (PDF, 21.4 MB)

Join the Conversation and Shape the Future of Agriculture!

We're turning intention into action and we're calling on YOU— our partners and stakeholders—to join us on this journey. Together, we're crafting a future that's innovative, sustainable, and transformative for agriculture and beyond.

Share Your Input

Your voice matters! Have insights, ideas, or expertise to share? We want to hear them. Your input is invaluable as we lay the groundwork for real change. Share your thoughts by emailing USDAScience@usda.gov.

Lead a Discussion

Imagine being a catalyst for change in your own community. Take charge by hosting your own stakeholder discussion. Download this “Lead a Discussion” Digital Toolkit (ZIP, 33.1 MB) and use this resource to gather your community, share ideas, and contribute to the vision of a progressive agricultural landscape.

Share with Your Network

Want to share these ideas with your network? Share the USDA Science & Research Strategy 2023-2026 and use the hashtags: #USDAScience | #USDAScienceMovesMe

Stay Connected and Informed

Stay connected on USDA Science and Research efforts. Bookmark this page to explore updates, resources, and insights. Follow @USDAScience for the latest science updates.

Five Priorities, One Vision

We're embarking on a journey to turn intention into action and we're calling on YOU—our partners and stakeholders—to be the architects of change. Together, we're crafting a future that's innovative, sustainable, and transformative for agriculture and beyond.

Accelerating Innovative Technologies and Practices

USDA is identifying and developing approaches that support innovative, resilient, and commercially viable technologies and practices at a transformative pace to strengthen overall wellbeing.

Download this One-Pager to Learn More (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Driving Climate Smart Solutions

USDA will advance research that is co-developed with the public to address risks from long-term and acute climate stressors, generate potential new revenue streams, and improve climate resilience.

Download this One-Pager to Learn More (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Bolstering Nutrition Security and Health

USDA will deliver innovative, science-based best practices and opportunities to support decisions related to food and nutrition security, dietary guidance, personalized food choices, food safety, nutrition, and agriculture.

Download this One-Pager to Learn More (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Cultivating Resilient Ecosystems

USDA will address place-and-scale-appropriate needs through science-based solutions targeting multi-faceted and pressing goals to ensure agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

Download this One-Pager to Learn More (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Translating Research into Action

USDA works to empower open, science-based, and data-driven information, communicate solutions that promote understanding and action, and foster a culture where policy informs, encourages, and advances scientific innovation and adoption.

Download this One-Pager to Learn More (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Innovation at USDA

USDA Science is working to revolutionize the food, agriculture and natural resources sectors by investing in a diversified portfolio that accelerates transformation. USDA embraces the necessity of high-risk, high-reward transdisciplinary research to ensure important science and technology contributions that support our future. This requires accelerating science like biotechnology, precision agriculture, artificial intelligence and robotics and integrating them with human and behavioral sciences in a systems approach to bring bold, sustainable solutions to the nation’s farmers, producers, ranchers and foresters.

Advancing Together for a Better Tomorrow

USDA's commitment reaches across communities, supporting thriving neighborhoods and nourishing our nation. By forging innovation and collaboration together, we can confront challenges as one. This strategy embodies the voices of our stakeholders and partners, harnessing collective expertise for meaningful change.