Six projects examine technology’s wider effects
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced on 7 October 2026 that it had awarded a total of $3.2 million to support six interdisciplinary research projects. The projects address the social, ethical, cultural, legal and other effects of emerging and disruptive technologies.
NIFA identifies agricultural markets, agricultural communities and rural prosperity, food manufacturing and consumer preferences among the areas covered by the research.
Supply chains, upcycling and conservation among the topics
The announcement lists biopackaging across supply chains, biomass supply chains, genetic incompatibility in grass systems, upcycling and conservation in the Florida Wildlife Corridor as current topics.
The named awardees are Michigan State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Georgia, the University of Maine, the University of Minnesota and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.
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NIFA Awards $3.2M to Support Research on the Social Implications of Emerging Technologies ↗
U.S. Department of Agriculture — NIFA · PUBLIC-DOMAIN. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2026). NIFA Awards $3.2M to Support Research on the Social Implications of Emerging Technologies. Published 7 October 2026. Public-domain agency announcement. Editorial adaptation and translation: FoodRadar. Adapted by FoodRadar.