F3 Innovate launches Innovation Grant program
F3 Innovate (F3i) announced the opening of applications for its inaugural Innovation Grant program. The initiative will award up to $200,000 across 4-12 projects this fall, with individual grants of up to $50,000 each, to accelerate transformative agriculture and food technologies toward commercial adoption.
F3i's grant program seeks to drive breakthrough innovations that address critical challenges across the agriculture supply chain while creating economic opportunities and diversifying the region's economy.
Priority research areas include:
Digital agriculture and data science: AI and machine learning applications, IoT
sensors, and data analytics for supply chain optimization
Equipment and automation: Agricultural robotics, precision agriculture equipment,
and automated harvesting technologies
Drought resiliency and stewardship: Drought-resistant crop varieties, carbon
sequestration technologies, and water conservation solutions
Equipment and systems testing: Testing protocols, systems integration, and
performance optimization
Small farm and food entrepreneurship: Technologies accessible to small-scale
farmers and supply chain solutions for specialty crops
The program prioritizes funding multiple smaller projects rather than fewer large projects to maximize the number of innovative solutions available to benefit growers across the Central Valley's five-county region (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare).
Eligibility and application process
Eligible applicants include local and domestic academic researchers, students, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and farmers/farmworkers. Priority will be given to projects that directly benefit California's Central Valley agriculture and address challenges specific to the region.
The application process features two phases:
Phase 1: Round 1 application (Due Aug. 8, 2025)
Phase 2: Round 2 application for invited candidates (Due Sept. 2, 2025)
Award Notifications: Late September 2025
Projects will be evaluated on problem identification, solution quality, Central Valley relevance, stakeholder engagement, market potential, and economic impact potential.
Learn more, read the RFP, and get application instructions at: https://www.f3i.org/innovation-grant