Applications are now open for New Harvest’s cell ag challenge on Experiment.com, a new funding opportunity to support projects in and out of the lab.
The challenge is a partnership between New Harvest, Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition, and the Experiment Foundation. We’re hoping to leverage crowdfunding and our combined networks to get transformative, otherwise unfundable cell ag projects off the ground.
Here’s how it works.
New Harvest has set up a cell ag challenge on Experiment.com, a crowdfunding site for science experiments. Thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition, we have $50,000 to spread across cell ag projects. If your project is selected, we will give you an initial boost of cash (up to $5,000/project) to help you get started. You will be responsible for crowdfunding the remaining funds for your project.
Don’t worry—if your project is selected, we will do our best to drum up support and help you reach your crowdfunding goal! Experiment.com also has a researcher guide for crowdfunding, including tips for how to find an audience and tap into your own network.
Those who do reach their funding goals will be invited to join the New Harvest research community for additional support along the way.
It’s a little unconventional, but we are excited to experiment with a new funding mechanism to jumpstart bold projects. More on the philosophy behind this experiment here.
What kind of projects are we looking for?
Unlike previous application cycles, New Harvest is opening this challenge up to social science research projects. In fact, we are especially interested in projects exploring the social, economic, and political dimensions of cellular agriculture.
Some questions which excite us: What policy interventions can ensure the land hypothetically freed up by cell ag is used for carbon capture? How can we incorporate cultured meat into a Green New Deal? How can we “electrify” cell ag?
If you are interested in applying but not sure where to start, check out these ideas for inspiration!
To answer these questions, we are looking for people from all disciplinary backgrounds. Tissue engineers are still encouraged to apply, but we are actively seeking applicants from food policy, environmental science, sociology, and economics. We will prioritize researchers and projects that are systematically and structurally excluded from cellular agriculture.
You don’t need to be affiliated with a university to apply. The only requirement is that your project contributes to the public body of knowledge and remains openly accessible.
Head over to experiment.com/grants/cellag to learn more and create your application. Rolling admissions until funds run out. Don’t hesitate to reach out to breanna@new-harvest.org if you have any questions.
