Each Year, we invite passionate teams of entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators from around the world
to join our
$1M Challenge

SEEDING THE FUTURE

GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM CHALLENGE

Colorful Facebook logo with distinct green, orange, blue, and purple sections.
Colorful Facebook logo with distinct green, orange, blue, and purple sections.

Applications open Jan 1, 2027

Learn how to apply

Open to nonprofits and NGOs, academic and research institutions, and early-stage for-profits or social enterprises in any country. Organizations only, not individuals. No fee to apply.

Hosted by our partner, Welthungerhilfe

Seeding The Future

Global Food System Challenge

Powered by

Welthungerhilfe

This Challenge seeks to inspire and support creative, diverse, and multidisciplinary teams to create game‑changing innovations that will help transform the food system.

Competitive grants and prizes are awarded for innovations targeting the white space where three domains intersect: safe and nutritious food; sustainably produced; and accessible, appealing, affordable, and trusted. These domains reside within a food policy framework, where innovations can be implemented within existing or future policy.

A woman with dark hair looking down at a book in front of a bookshelf filled with textbooks.
A woman with dark hair looking down at a book in front of a bookshelf filled with textbooks.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead

Since 2021, we have received over 5,000 submissions from teams of innovators, entrepreneurs, academic and research institutions, and non-profits, each focusing on high impact innovations to transform the food system.

The Challenge

Awards & How to Apply

Grants and prizes are matched to how far an innovation has come, from a first proof of concept to proven impact at scale.

Three levels of award:

Seed Grants

$25,000each

Up to 8 awards

For promising ideas with a prototype or proof of concept that demonstrates feasibility.

Growth Grants

$100,000each

Up to 3 awards

For proven, doable innovations with economic feasibility at scale and high-impact potential.

Grand Prizes

$250,000each

Up to 2 awards

For scalable, trusted innovations with demonstrated potential for major impact.

Key dates:

  • Jan 1, 2027Opens
  • Feb 15Closes
  • JuneJunSeed Grants
  • JulyJulGrowth & Grand Prizes
Learn how to apply

Up to $1,000,000 awarded each year. Full eligibility and selection criteria →

The Seeding The Future Annual Global Food System Challenge aims to inspire game‑changing, impactful innovations in the “Innovation White Space,” where three domains intersect:

  1. Safe and nutritious food for a healthy diet.
  2. Sustainable and regenerative practices that enable the food system to stay within planetary boundaries.
  3. Equitable access to food that is affordable, appealing, and trusted.
Diagram illustrating the food policy framework with interconnected circles labeled 'Affordable, Accessible, Appealing and Trusted,' 'Safe and Nutritious Food for a Healthy Diet,' and 'Sustainable, Regenerative Practices, Food Loss and Waste Reduction.' The top left corner features the GESO logo and the text 'Seeding the Future - Global Food System Challenge.'
Diagram illustrating the food policy framework with interconnected circles labeled 'Affordable, Accessible, Appealing and Trusted,' 'Safe and Nutritious Food for a Healthy Diet,' and 'Sustainable, Regenerative Practices, Food Loss and Waste Reduction.' The top left corner features the GESO logo and the text 'Seeding the Future - Global Food System Challenge.' 
These domains reside within a Food Policy Framework where innovations can be implemented either within an existing or new policy framework.
WATCH OUR 2024 / 25 UPDATE:
MEET PAST WINNERS
EXPLORE THE DATABASE