WARF Accelerator will award 2-5 grants from a $100K pool
CONTACT:
Jeanan Yasiri Moe
Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
[email protected] | (608) 960-9892
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Bayer Crop Science have teamed together to launch a spring challenge focused on novel solutions to create resilient and secure food systems. Principal Investigators (PIs) and their teams are invited to submit a brief disclosure form and questionnaire by May 15, 2024.
“We are excited to launch this new joint innovation challenge,” says Phil Taylor, Director of Open Innovation and Outreach for Bayer Crop Science. “Bayer and WARF have partnered together in many areas over the years, but this is a unique opportunity to broaden our partnership into new areas of science and to enable the translation of high-potential opportunities towards commercialization.”
Projects (even early-stage) that focus on new ways of improving systems for crop production will be considered. Ideas could address resource management, crop data analytics, climate challenges, platforms for identifying pests or disease, maximizing crop productivity or crop genetics, all driving toward the goal of sustainably feeding the population. Proposed research should be completed within a year.
Submissions are due to WARF by May 15. Criteria include:
- Project team must include a PI at UW-Madison or Morgridge Institute for Research
- Concepts must be new (not something previously disclosed to WARF)
- Technical readiness
- Commercial potential
“UW-Madison researchers are developing new ways to create resilient and secure food systems that can ensure a steady supply of safe, accessible food for everyone,” says Erik Iverson, CEO of WARF. “We want to recognize and support their efforts to improve public health and well-being.”
For questions contact Emily Bauer, director of licensing, at [email protected], 608-960-9842.
About WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) helps steward the cycle of research, discovery, commercialization and investment for the University of Wisconsin–Madison and provides annual support to the university to advance research and innovation. Founded in 1925 as an independent, nonprofit foundation, WARF manages more than 2,000 patents and an investment portfolio as it funds university research, obtains patents for campus discoveries and licenses inventions to industry. For more information, visit warf.org and view WARF’s Cycle of Innovation.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2023, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 47.6 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.8 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
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