WASHINGTON – In a move signaling robust backing for agricultural innovation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed a $12.5 million investment under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs this Wednesday.

Phase I disbursements are set to benefit 76 burgeoning enterprises, all focused on high impact research aimed at resolving pressing scientific dilemmas and capitalizing on untapped opportunities within the agricultural landscape.

Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs – Young affirmed the Biden – Harris administration’s steadfast commitment to nurturing small businesses, “Through increased market access and by fortifying our national and local food systems, we aim to propel the sector’s evolution. Federal research funding, often orchestrated in concert with private sector collaborators, is catalyzing innovations that not only elevate productivity but also reinforce America’s standing in the global agricultural arena.”

Today’s announcement is particularly noteworthy as it marks the inaugural tranche of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)-sponsored STTR funds. With a dedicated allotment of $2.5 million, the STTR program will bolster 15 small business endeavors across a dozen states, ranging from Georgia to Washington. These projects primarily focus on tech-transfer collaborations with nonprofit research bodies.

In a parallel move, NIFA is also channeling $9.9 million toward 61 SBIR ventures. These initiatives cover a gamut of challenges, from natural resource conservation and enhancing plant and animal yields to crafting biobased commodities.

In a nod to diversity and equitable opportunity, 20 of the grants are directed toward businesses owned by minorities or women. Moreover, 22 of the awarded enterprises are situated in HUBZones, which are economically disadvantaged locales, either urban or rural.

NIFA Director Dr. Manjit K. Misra emphasized the pivotal role of small businesses in fostering cutting edge solutions, “Their partnerships with research institutes are key. They not only bring science to life but also make it accessible, bridging a crucial gap between the laboratories where discoveries happen and the marketplace where they come to fruition.”

Among the beneficiaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent $12.5 million investment are businesses that range from aquaculture pioneers to clean energy innovators. Evergreen Aquatics in Washington has received funding to explore the commercial potential of burbot, a freshwater fish akin to cod. In Vermont, Home Grown Fuels is collaborating with the University at Albany to harness plant based solutions for eradicating “forever chemicals” contaminating the environment. Arizona’s Padma Agrobotics is venturing into the automation of cilantro harvesting, while Shende LLC in South Dakota is creating a groundbreaking system that channels solar power into thermal energy for a new breed of resilient, energy efficient greenhouses.

Aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses in agricultural research can still submit their Phase I proposals for SBIR and STTR funding until September 19, 2023. Notably, NIFA introduced the STTR program in 2022 after USDA’s extramural research funding surpassed the $1 billion milestone. Comprehensive details about these programs are accessible via NIFA’s official website.

In a related development, USDA has unveiled its Fiscal Year 2022 Technology Transfer Annual Report, showcasing the ripple effects of federal research investments across the agricultural sector. This year’s report enumerates 156 inventions, 79 patent applications, 38 newly minted patents, and a staggering 653 licenses.

The highlighted achievements include NovolBio, an SBIR grant recipient developing the globe’s first sustainable eyeglass lenses; the advent of USDA-certified biobased personal care ingredients sourced from renewable vegetable oils; and Intellisense Systems LLC, which is innovating a Fire Weather Observation Sensor to better manage and detect forest wildfires. Additionally, the USDA has publicized six new conservation plants, made available to both the general public and commercial growers.

These technology transfer functions serve as linchpins in accelerating public R&D investments, broadening economic horizons, and fostering job creation. These commitments align seamlessly with the USDA’s freshly launched Science and Research Strategy for 2023-2026. The blueprint underscores the role of scientific innovation in sculpting a more prosperous, profitable, and sustainable future for U.S. agriculture and forestry.