Packaging Innovation Program

Packaging Innovation Program is sponsored by Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR). This program seeks research applications for novel sustainable packaging or packaging alternatives that can replace single-use packaging and single-use plastic packaging for specialty crop exports. While not exclusively focused on training, it supports innovation in sustainable plastics, which can involve workforce development.

Packaging Innovation Program - Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Your browser does not support the video tag. FFAR » Packaging Innovation Program Packaging Innovation Program The Packaging Innovation Program is seeking research proposals to advance packaging innovations for U.S. producers and specialty crop exporters.

Emerging restrictions on single-use and plastic packaging will limit access for U.S. specialty crops in global markets.

Therefore, Clemson University and The Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP) of the International Fresh Produce Association are partnering with the FFAR to advance packaging innovations for U.S. produce and specialty crop exporters as part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service.

FFAR is accepting applications, on behalf of Clemson University and FFP, for the Packaging Innovation Program to develop packaging and packaging alternatives for specialty crops compliant with emerging packaging regulations in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and other key markets.

This program is seeking research applications for novel sustainable packaging or packaging alternatives that can replace single-use packaging and single-use plastic packaging that offer at least some of the same functions economically.

The Sustainable Innovation Packaging Program consists of three distinct tracks: Track 1 (Applied R&D) seeks proposals aimed at bringing a solution for specialty crop exports that is still at the laboratory stage but shows high promise to be implemented in pilot-scale manufacturing with minimal further effort.

Track 2 (Technology Accelerator) seeks proposals aimed at scaling innovations in sustainable packaging to meet requirements of foreign markets. Track 3 (Scale-up and Pilot) seeks proposals to run pilot-scale manufacturing projects aimed at commercializing a packaging solution for specialty crop exports. Full track requirements are detailed in the RFA .

Frequently Asked Questions What are the program priorities and requirements? All research activities must be structured to answer, directly or indirectly, at least two of the following questions before, during, and after the development and dissemination of research and development or commercialization outputs: How does the activity advance the goals of maintaining or increasing U.S. exports of specialty crops?

How does the activity enable U.S. exporters to comply with emerging regulatory requirements (see Footnote 1) for packaging and labeling? How does the activity support the development of packaging materials that are alternatives to single-use plastic packaging? How does the activity support the development of reusable packaging systems for the export of specialty crops?

How does the activity support the export of specialty crops that will be sold at retail without packaging? How does the activity reduce food loss and waste of exported fresh produce? How does the activity promote the implementation of novel sustainable packaging at a commercial scale for exports of specialty crops?

Who is eligible to apply? Clemson University and FFP welcome applications from institutions of higher education, non-profit and for-profit organizations, government-affiliated researchers, and domestic and international organizations. Applications from international entities are invited as long as there is a clearly described collaboration with U.S.-based researchers, packaging companies or exporters of specialty crops.

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. What is the funding availability? Funding will be provided for up to twenty (20) awards of between $50,000 and $250,000 each.

The performance period for awards will be 12 months. In addition to funding, awardees will gain access to collaboration and networking opportunities, fresh produce industry and consumer insights, LCA analyses and legal reviews of emergent packaging regulations. Are matching funds required?

No matching funds are required. Only submissions received by the deadline through FFAR’s Grant Management System will be accepted and considered eligible for evaluation. To be fair to all applicants, FFAR will not grant extensions to applicants who missed the deadlines posted in the Key Dates section.

Who can I contact for more information? For questions related to the online submission system, please contact FFAR’s Grants Management team at grants@foundationfar. org .

For questions related to the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Program, please contact FFAR’s Scientific Program Director, Dr. Constance Gewa at cgewa@foundationfar. org . FFAR strives to respond to inquiries within two business days, but our response time depends on the volume of questions received and the complexity of the questions asked.

Please note that we do not monitor mailboxes on evenings, weekends or federal holidays.