[Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research](https://foundationfar.org)

Applications are under review (last deadline: December 13, 2025)

Up to 20 awards of $50,000–$250,000 each; 12-month project period.

Funds research to develop sustainable packaging for U.S. specialty crop exporters to meet new international packaging regulations.

--- ## Description The Packaging Innovation Program supports research and development of novel, sustainable packaging solutions to help U.S. specialty crop exporters comply with emerging restrictions on single-use and plastic packaging in key global markets such as the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. In partnership with Clemson University and The Foundation for Fresh Produce, the program targets innovations that maintain or expand U.S. exports by offering alternatives to single-use plastics, reusable packaging systems, or strategies to reduce food loss and waste. The program is structured into three tracks: applied R&D, technology acceleration, and scale-up/pilot commercialization, each designed to support different stages of packaging innovation and implementation. --- ## Due Dates - Applications are currently under review (last known deadline: December 13, 2025). - Future cycles may be announced; check the [program page](https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/opportunities/packaging-innovation-program/) for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to twenty (20) awards available. - Each award: $50,000–$250,000. - Project duration: 12 months. - No matching funds required. --- ## Eligibility - Open to institutions of higher education, non-profit and for-profit organizations, government-affiliated researchers, and both domestic and international organizations. - International applicants must collaborate with U.S.-based researchers, packaging companies, or specialty crop exporters. - Individuals with relevant expertise may apply through their organizations as Program Directors/Principal Investigators. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via FFAR’s [Grant Management System](https://us.grantrequest.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fapplication.aspx%3fsid%3d6242%26fid%3d35237&sid=6242&fid=35237). - Registration is required for new users. - Only online submissions received by the posted deadline are eligible for evaluation. - No deadline extensions will be granted. --- ## Additional Information - Awardees gain access to collaboration and networking opportunities, industry and consumer insights, life cycle analyses (LCA), and legal reviews of packaging regulations. - Proposals must address at least two core program priorities, such as advancing U.S. exports, enabling compliance with new regulations, developing alternatives to single-use plastics, or reducing food loss and waste. - Detailed track requirements and priorities are provided in the [Request for Applications (RFA)](https://foundationfar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RFA___-Packaging-Innovation-Program_USDA-FFP-Clemson_Final-1.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Program Page (Packaging Innovation Program)](https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/opportunities/packaging-innovation-program/) - [FFAR Grants & Funding Opportunities](https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/) - [Request for Applications (RFA) PDF](https://foundationfar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RFA___-Packaging-Innovation-Program_USDA-FFP-Clemson_Final-1.pdf) - [Grant Management System (Apply Here)](https://us.grantrequest.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fapplication.aspx%3fsid%3d6242%26fid%3d35237&sid=6242&fid=35237) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Program-specific questions | Dr. Constance Gewa ([cgewa@foundationfar.org](mailto:cgewa@foundationfar.org)) | | Grants Management / Technical assistance | [grants@foundationfar.org](mailto:grants@foundationfar.org) | | General inquiries | [communications@foundationfar.org](mailto:communications@foundationfar.org) | | Phone | 202-624-0700 | | Contact page | [FFAR Contact Page](https://foundationfar.org/about/contact/) |

Packaging Innovation Program - Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

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