Deadline: 10-Jan-23
The Horticulture Innovation Lab is currently soliciting full technical applications from local organizations to conduct research focused on: pre-harvest and post-harvest management to reduce post-harvest losses; and enhanced marketing and market access of vegetables in the East Africa region. The focus countries are; Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
The Feed the Future Horticulture Innovation Lab program advances bio-physical and social knowledge and innovation within the horticulture sector, specifically in Africa, South Asia, and Central America. Their global research network works with and promotes local leadership to advance horticulture and social innovations, empowering smallholder farmers to earn more income while better nourishing their communities.
Objectives
- Horticulture Innovation Lab projects and initiatives focus on three key Feed the Future Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) objectives and five cross-cutting themes.
- Inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth
- Strengthened resilience among people and systems
- A well-nourished population
GFSS Cross-cutting Themes
- Gender equality, equity and participation
- Youth opportunities
- Nutrition and food safety
- Resilience and risk management
- Inclusion
The Horticulture Innovation Lab focuses on resilient horticulture management systems and horticulture enterprise development and commercialization. The program emphasizes research where horticulture can complement and diversify staple crops, extend cropping and marketing seasons, systems approaches to horticulture value chains, and increase the production and consumption of nutritious horticultural products. Thus, the Horticulture Innovation Lab supports research projects to improve seed systems, sustainable production of horticultural crops, postharvest practices, food safety, market access and linkages, nutrition, and engagement of women, youth and other disadvantaged groups in the horticulture sector.
Funding Information
- The selected research projects will be funded at $250,000 up to $750,000 depending on the scope of work, over a period of up to 3 ½ years. A total of approximately $1.2 million will be awarded, through which they aim to fund 2-4 projects. They encourage applications for a single subtheme, and collaborative projects that cover multiple sub-themes.
Eligibility Criteria
- The lead applicant and principal investigator must be from these USAID Feed the Future countries from within the region – Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. The Applicants can be from academic institutions, government sectors (including national agriculture research services), private entities, or other community based organizations. While international collaboration is allowable, intellectual lead and management should remain in the region. This includes but is not limited to leading efforts in determining research methodology, implementation, and information dissemination, such as publications and conference participation. Priority will be given to research projects with budgets that include a majority of funds to regionally based partners.
For more information, visit Horticulture Innovation Lab.