Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in conjunction with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to identify enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and related products to reduce the environmental effects of row crop agriculture while maintaining or increasing farmer productivity and profitability. The use of commercial fertilizers of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is one of the critical pillars of modern agriculture, relieving widespread nutrient limitation and facilitating the growth of crops at yields that would not be possible under the naturally existing supply of nutrients in the soil.  However, fertilizers applied without consideration of the appropriate rate, timing, source, and method, can have harmful effects on the environment and human health.  This challenge is part of a larger effort to evaluate the effectiveness of existing technologies, and spark innovation of new technologies that can reduce the environmental effects from row crop agriculture while maintaining profitability. This challenge focuses on sparking innovative solutions for enhanced efficiency and cost-effective delivery of N and P to growing plants. In addition to a monetary award, Solvers will receive public recognition of their work and may be provided with additional opportunities to publicize their submission, if they choose. This aligns with two of EPA’s Core Goals to create a cleaner, healthier environment, and to create more effective partnerships, and aligns with the USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda. 

This Theoretical Challenge requires only a written proposal.

OVERVIEW

Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers facilitate the growth of crops, including corn, at yields that provide sustained global food production. However, fertilizers applied without consideration of the appropriate rate, timing, source, and method, can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. “Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer” (EEF) is a term for new formulations that control fertilizer release or alter reactions that reduce nutrient losses to the environment. EEFs and other product technology innovations may be an important addition to a system of conservation practices that help reduce the impacts from row crop agriculture on the environment, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity and profitability.

To help mitigate these adverse effects, EPA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to launch the Joint EPA-USDA Partnership and Competition on Next Gen Fertilizers to Advance Agricultural Sustainability in the United States. Along with EPA and USDA, the competition is in collaboration with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). This Partnership is being coordinated with input from stakeholders such as corn grower representatives, fertilizer companies, university researchers, and environmental and industry NGOs. This competition includes two challenges which aim to accelerate the development and use of existing and new product technologies that are affordable to reduce the environmental impacts of U.S. corn production. The results of the Partnership may ultimately be leveraged to improve production of other crops under a range of environmental conditions in the U.S. and abroad.

The Next Gen Fertilizer Innovation Challenge aims to identify concepts for novel technologies for fertilizers that can reduce the environmental effects from modern agriculture while maintaining or increasing crop yields. These concepts can include any enhanced efficiency or other technology product including, additives, inhibitors, stabilizers, or other technologies used with or in combination with commercial fertilizer nutrients, that enhance nutrient uptake and performance. Submissions to the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge are not near-market and may include technologies that are not traditional EEFs.

Solvers are not required to give up any of their intellectual property (“IP”) rights to the Seekers to be eligible to receive an award. 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on November 30, 2020.

Late submissions will not be considered.

CHALLENGE PRIZE

• The Seekers may award a total prize award pool of $65,000. The minimum full award amount is $10,000. The Seeker can allocate higher individual award amounts, as deemed appropriate. The Challenge award will be contingent upon results of critical analysis and evaluation by the Seekers and the Judging Panel appointed by the Seekers. Meeting the Technical Requirements does not guarantee that the proposed solution will receive an award from the Seekers. Partial cash prizes may be considered for solutions that meet some, but not all, of the criteria.
• Finalists will be invited to present their technologies at a showcasing event (date and location to be determined). Promising submissions may also be advanced to greenhouse or field testing at the conclusion of the competition. Solvers should make it clear if they have the interest and ability for subsequent development phases and would be willing to consider future collaborations and/or subsequent competitions with support of government staff and facilities.

JUDGING

A panel of subject matter experts selected by EPA, USDA and the Challenge collaborators will judge submissions based on pre-defined scoring criteria. The panel will initially screen submissions for completeness and relevance. The selected eligible applications will then be judged using the criteria specified in the Detailed Description and Requirements. Judges will be selected based on several criteria, including their technical expertise (e.g. chemistry, agronomy, microbiology, biogeochemistry, ecology), geography (e.g. Midwest, South, etc.), associations with land grant universities, sectoral experience (e.g. farming, academia, government, industry), and diversity. All judges will be required to sign a Conflict of Interest (COI) agreement to ensure unbiased reviews, and Non-Disclosure agreements to ensure confidentiality of any CBI. All persons or entities that submit a solution will be notified as to the status of their submission and a high-level evaluation. Decisions cannot be contested.

After the Challenge submission deadline, a Judging Panel will evaluate the submissions and make a recommendation with regard to the winning solution(s). The Judging Panel may be composed of federal and/or non-federal scientists, engineers, and other technical experts, including subject matter experts from the listed collaborators for this Challenge. All persons or entities that submit a proposal will be notified as to the status of their submission and a high level evaluation. Decisions by the Seekers cannot be contested.

ELIGIBILITY

EPA will conduct this Challenge under the authority provided by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. § 3719), as amended. The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 limits cash awards to individuals that are  citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or to entities that are incorporated in and whose primary place of business is in the United States, subject to verification by the Seeker before Prizes are awarded.

Submissions can be entertained from all Solvers regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens/entities. Meritorious submissions from non-U.S. citizens and entities as well as U.S. citizens that may not be prize eligible (see Challenge Specific Agreement) if any, will be recognized in publications issued by the Seeker announcing the results of the competition, such as press releases. Non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents or non-U.S. entities can also be included on U.S. teams. However, under the authority of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. § 3719), as amended, the Seeker cannot award cash prizes to individuals that are not U.S. citizens, not permanent residents of the U.S. or entities not incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of business in the U.S.

ABOUT EPA

Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. Since its inception, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment of the American people. Learn more about EPA at https://www.epa.gov/.  

ABOUT USDA

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands. We are made up of 20 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad. For more information, visit https://www.usda.gov/.

ABOUT TFI

TFI is the leading voice of the fertilizer industry, acting as an advocate for fair regulation and legislation, a consistent source for trusted information and data, a networking agent, and an outlet to publicize industry initiatives in safety and environmental stewardship. Our Mission is to represent, promote and protect the fertilizer industry through the following strategic initiatives:

• To foster a prosperous fertilizer industry through legislative and regulatory activities at the federal, state and local level
• To effectively address issues impacting TFI member companies
• To share knowledge about the fertilizer industry with members, government and the agriculture industry on issues related to fertilizer and the farm economy

ABOUT IFDC

An independent non-profit organization, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) combines science-backed innovations, an enabling policy environment, holistic market systems development, and strategic partnerships, to improve household food security and enrich family livelihoods around the world. IFDC works to deliver the evidence that provides a foundation for the adaptation and responsible scaling of research innovations in harmony with improving soil health, plant nutrition, and environment stewardship.  The research IFDC and its partners engage in has resulted in breakthroughs for high-efficiency fertilizers used in the U.S. and around the world. The organization's research remains a core component of conquering global hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. For more information, visit https://www.ifdc.org/.

ABOUT TNC

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. From our first land purchase to our latest water fund, TNC is constantly evolving to bring innovative solutions to the challenges facing our world. One of TNC’s central priorities is to Provide Food and Water Sustainably. As such we are fostering innovations in technology, collaborating with communities to use resources more efficiently and promoting policies that enable agricultural sustainability in the U.S. and around the globe. Visit www.nature.org for more information.

ABOUT NCGA

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 50 affiliated state organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for corn growers and to sustainably feed and fuel a growing world. One of the key priorities for the NCGA is to promote sustainable farming practices that build up soil health, allowing farmers to take more control of their farms by strengthening productivity and enabling profitability. Visit www.ncga.com for more information.