Bayer opens applications for Grants4Ag

Bayer has opened applications for the Grants4Ag initiative. First launched in 2015, the program has evolved and, in 2020, offers researchers financial and scientific support to develop ideas for new solutions across all areas of research and development within the Agricultural Division. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2020.

"Our previous Grants4 programs have managed to attract cutting-edge proposals in specific niches - particularly in traits of biotechnology and biologics," explains Phil Taylor, Open Innovation Business Partner for Bayer's Agricultural Division. "The new Grants4Ag model expands the reach to a greater number of potential candidates and therefore more diverse innovations."

As with previous editions of the program, there are no formal reporting requirements and candidates retain ownership of any intellectual property developed. Taylor highlights that the company sees the assistance as an initial investment with the potential to become larger-scale, long-term collaborations with Bayer.

In addition to the economic aid (which normally varies between 5.000 and 15.000 euros), each beneficiary will be able to count on the partnership of a Bayer scientist who will provide guidance and feedback on the project. Those who have previously received grants say the Grants4 program differentiates itself from traditional funding programs.

“The Bayer Grants4 program is easy to apply for and allows us to test technologies with feasibility experiments whose results can bridge current and future projects,” says Hank W. Bass, Professor of Biological Sciences at Florida State University, who received a grant in 2019 to study corn plants' response to flooding.

In total, last year the grant program received applications from 17 countries around the world. A total of 21 scholarships were awarded.

For the Grants4Ag 2020 application period, Bayer is partnering with Halo, a marketplace that helps companies connect with scientists through an intuitive and simplified interface.

"We created Halo to help companies discover and collaborate with scientists to solve the challenges of today and stay one step ahead of those that come tomorrow," said Kevin Leland, CEO and founder of Halo. "Bayer has long been a champion of open innovation and we are excited to be driving this latest quest so that even more university scientists and startups can benefit from its resources and industry knowledge."

Complete information about the solutions sought by the programs, registration process and submission rules are available on website.