The Transformative Research Challenge – TRC – is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to develop innovative and impactful solutions to transform agrifood systems.
Organized by the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Innovation Lab, the TRC has, since 2021, supported over 2,000 applicants globally and awarded more than USD 500,000 in funding and in-kind support to 71 youth-led research projects.
The 2025 call for applications is now open and will run until 9 May 2025.
Eligible applicants are invited to submit their applications through the official TRC 2025 application platform. Eligibility requirements are listed here.
This year, young researchers are invited to submit a two-page Concept Note in one of five different research categories for an opportunity to win up to $20,000 in research funding and showcase their ideas at the WFF flagship event at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
2025 categories:
- Gender Mainstreaming in the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prize (Co-hosted by FAO PPR-GEP Secretariat)
- Integrated Water Management for Food Security Prize (Co-hosted by the FAO Land and Water Division (NSL) and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI))
- Sustainable Aquaculture Prize (Co-hosted by Shanghai Ocean University and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI))
- Forestry Innovation (Co-hosted by the FAO Forestry Division (NFO))
- Nansen Programme Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Prize (Co-hosted by the FAO EAF-Nansen Programme and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI))
Also, experts in the agrifood systems are invited to apply through this link to become Evaluators and Facilitators and support in the selection of ideas.
For further information or clarification, candidates can consult the dedicated page or contact innovation@world-food-forum.org
