Funding-First Round Innovation Grant RFA for Global Center for Food Systems Innovation; September 10, 2013

The Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI) is one of eight new development labs funded by USAID in their Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). Through HESN, USAID hopes to harness the intellectual capacity of American and international research and educational institutions to help solve the most pressing global development problems. Michigan State University’s lab focuses on generating solutions and transforming global food systems in response to population growth, climate change and urbanization.

The core of the GCFSI mission is finding, incubating and evaluating new and potentially disruptive knowledge and technology based solutions to development challenges. This request for applications (RFA) is seeking applicants who can help create innovation in the global food system.

For this inaugural competition, the GCFSI is seeking to increase collaboration, catalyze the formation of multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional teams and build connections within the HESN and other institutions while building capacity for understanding challenges in global food systems.

Please note that this is a call for two-page concept notes to address a question(s) that start on page 6 of the attached RFA. Many of these questions are multidisciplinary, so please consider that as you encourage people or groups to apply. The Center anticipates funding five (5) grants with up to $100K per grant.

The concept notes are due on September 10, 2013.

Please submit applications to: gcfsi@msu.edu

MSU anticipates awarding up to 5 grants with a value of up to $100,000 each.

More information available at:  www.gcfsi.isp.msu.edu