Hyderabad: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and IKP Knowledge Park today launched the first Call for Proposals under the “Agriculture for Nutrition Grand Challenge”. Ambassador Jonathan Addleton, USAID Mission Director to India, and Ms. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman and CEO, IKP Knowledge Park, launched the program in the presence of over a dozen agriculture and nutrition experts.

The Call for Proposals will remain open until August 31, 2016. Interested applicants should register on the program’s website (www.gc-agn.org) and apply via an online form.   

The “Agriculture for Nutrition Grand Challenge” is part of the USAID-supported “Feed the Future India Innovations for Improved Nutrition” program, implemented by IKP. Under the program, IKP will identify the top 10 Indian innovations in the agrifood sector that show measurable impact in improving the nutritional status of poor and malnourished populations. The 10 shortlisted innovations will then be funded, developed, and adapted in select countries in Africa and South Asia.  Each finalist will receive a funding of up to Rs 1.2 crore ($177,000) as well as mentorship support for a period of two years.

Sharing his support while releasing the program brochure, Ambassador Addleton remarked, “India is a laboratory for innovations. Sharing and transfer of these innovations globally in partnership with the public and private sector for sustained food security gains has been the focus of USAID’s food security and climate resilience programs. We are delighted to partner with IKP to identify and nurture the smartest and brightest Indian innovations and hope to once again capitalize them to promote healthy and productive societies globally.”

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in early in June, both the United States and India announced their commitment to jointly support global food and nutrition security. As stated in the U.S.-India joint statement, both India and the U.S. welcome triangular cooperation with African partners, including in areas such as agriculture, and look forward to opportunities to deepen the U.S.-India global development cooperation in Africa, as well as in Asia and beyond. 

Earlier in her welcome address, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay said, “Through this Call, IKP will help Indian innovators adapt their solutions in other developing countries, thereby expanding the reach of their ventures and impacting many more lives.” Following the launch, IKP will also organize road shows and meetings in various cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune to ensure greater outreach and attract additional applications.