Research & Universities
Harnessing science, innovation and technology is critical to meeting the global challenges of producing food more efficiently with less land and water, improving nutrition, and helping families who rely on agriculture for a living to be more resilient.
Feed the Future invests in research to develop and advance a pipeline of innovations, tools and approaches designed to sustainable reduce global poverty, hunger and malnutrition in the face of complex, dynamic challenges including emerging pests and diseases that affect farmers overseas and in America. We work with public, private and NGO partners to adapt, commercialize and scale these solutions.
Our investments in research today pay dividends tomorrow. Learn more in our U.S. Government research strategy for global food security.
Our Partners
Feed the Future brings U.S. scientific ingenuity to bear through research partnerships that include U.S. universities, government agencies, and businesses. We also work with international and national research centers and institutions.
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Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
This Presidentially-appointed board provides advice to Feed the Future on agriculture and higher education issues relevant to improving food security in developing countries, with a focus on leveraging the expertise and strengths of U.S. land-grant institutions.
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CGIAR
Feed the Future works with this network of international agricultural research centers to support critical public goods research alongside other investors. Our collaboration with CGIAR centers focuses on developing solutions that improve crop production, conserve genetic resources, protect livestock and animal health, integrate agroforestry, help farmers manage pests and diseases, and help partner countries build evidence-based policies. 
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National Agricultural Research Systems 
Through collaboration with Feed the Future and others in the global research community, these national systems identify challenges, develop innovations, and pilot and adapt existing technologies to address local demands, constraints and opportunities. Their partnership is essential to strengthen partner countries’ capacity to respond independently to new food security challenges in the future. 
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U.S. Government
In addition to Feed the Future partner agencies and departments like USAID and USDA, the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy contribute to various stages of the food security research process. 
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Partner Country Universities
Local universities are also key partners in scientific priority-setting, research and implementation. They educate the next generation of partner country scientists, farmers, legislators and entrepreneurs. Feed the Future helps this new cohort of global food security leaders access training, while strengthening the capacity of local universities to provide it for future generations. 
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U.S. Universities
U.S. universities help bring research, technology and innovation to solve global food security challenges. As Feed the Future partners, these institutions implement and evaluate projects, manage scientific programs and fellowships, and serve as knowledge-sharing hubs for tackling global food security challenges. Our network of Feed the Future Innovation Labs draw on the expertise of top U.S. universities and developing country research institutions to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges in agriculture and food security.
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Feed the Future Innovation Labs 
Feed the Future Innovation Labs draw on the expertise of top U.S. universities and developing country research institutions to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges in agriculture and food security. 
Get Involved
Read our research strategy for more information on the major themes that guide our research investments. For current funding opportunities, check out:
Related Resources
Related Stories
Feed the Future Newsletter, Issue 139, September 2024
Doubling Down in Southern & Eastern Africa With the Feed the Future Accelerator
Read MoreGlobal Food Security Strategy (GFSS) DRC Country Plan
In spite of tremendous agronomic potential, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the poorest and most food insecure countries in the world. Estimates suggest that DRC’s agriculture…
Read MoreFeed the Future Innovation Lab Working to Keep Malawi Women Thriving in Groundnut Farming
In Malawi, researchers from the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut are working to help women preserve their income and independence. As more men enter groundnut (peanut) farming, the…
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