Applications Invited for the WFF Transformative Research Challenge (TRC) 2025

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About the Organization

The World Food Forum (WFF) was launched in 2021 by the Youth Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as an independent network of partners. Hosted within FAO, it serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through youth action, science and innovation, and investment, the WFF forges new paths of action and multi-sector partnerships for agrifood impact at the local, regional and global levels to achieve a more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and hunger-free food future for all.

Within this framework, WFF Global Youth Action was established to harness the passion and power of youth and incite positive action for agrifood systems through youth empowerment. It acts as a catalytic movement and driver of youth engagement in food governance, and serves as a knowledge center and innovation lab, fostering and inspiring youth-led solutions. It thus actively contributes to the implementation of the UN Youth 2030 Strategy and enhances youth engagement in the follow-up to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

WFF Global Youth Action is implemented through a set of thematic programmes that leverage intergenerational and cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation and investment: Youth Assembly, Innovation Lab, Education, Local Action and Culture.

About the Grant  

The WFF Transformative Research Challenge (TRC) is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to develop innovative and impactful solutions to transform agrifood systems. Since its inception in 2021, the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Innovation Lab has partnered with leading organizations in agrifood research and United Nations Agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to address critical challenges through a global platform.

The TRC supports participants to develop research proposals that lead to actionable and tangible solutions. Finalists pitch their ideas at the WFF flagship event held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Over the years, the TRC has collaborated with 18 prominent organizations, including Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), EIT Food and CGIAR, to covering more than prize categories on critical agrifood systems topics. Out of over 2 000 applications submitted globally, the TRC has awarded more than USD 500 000 in grants and in-kind support to 71 youth-led innovative research projects.

What do young researchers gain:

• Research funding: Winning teams receive up to USD 10 000 in research funding to implement their research projects. In addition, one team will be selected from the winners of each TRC category as the overall winner of the 2025 Transformative Research Challenge and will be awarded an additional        USD 10 000 in research funding.
• Global visibility: Finalist teams receive recognition for their innovative work through the WFF website and social media channels, showcasing their projects to a global audience.
• Networking opportunities: Finalist teams connect with a global network of young leaders, agrifood experts and representatives from the public and private sectors, including the United Nations.
• Capacity development: Semi-finalist teams receive expert guidance to strengthen their skills in research proposal development.
• Invitation to FAO headquarters: Finalist teams are invited to present their research at the TRC Finals held at FAO headquarters in Rome in October 2025, in front of a high-level jury and a global audience via live stream on a range of platforms including UN Web TV.
• Post awards support: Finalists are invited to apply for the WFF Youth Food Lab incubator programme. Winning teams may also receive continued support to further develop and implement their research proposals.

How to Apply

Submit your application before 9 May 2025 at 24:00 (PDT).

Apply now

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovations and Technology Rural Development Research Others