We are bringing South Carolina’s premier researchers together to assist in developing cutting edge, new technologies for the food, feed and agribusiness world. Our Co-Directors of Research are working to connect agribusiness challenges with South Carolina higher education researchers to create new solutions and technologies. The team will enlist researchers working to ensure safety of food and agricultural products, to promote environmentally sound practices, and to develop new market opportunities for the South Carolina agricultural industry. We are looking for pioneering technologies to put South Carolina at the forefront of the food, feed and agricultural research. We also are contacting large agribusinesses both within South Carolina and across the globe who may be facing challenges that can be solved through our research.
The ACRE Competitive Grant Program will be announced annually via a Request for Pre-Proposals (RFP) sent to the South Carolina research universities and colleges. The RFP will seek wholly new research approaches to solve food, feed and agricultural challenges. Not only could this research help South Carolina agribusinesses work more productively and efficiently, it will also be a resource for creating new entrepreneurial businesses and encouraging existing companies to re-locate or expand to our state.
The Center will:
- Support research which leads to new discoveries and new market opportunities for South Carolina entrepreneurial agribusiness endeavors.
- Be managed by a Governing Board in compliance with South Carolina Department of Agriculture regulations and defined within the By-Laws.
- Establish global recognition as a center of excellence.
- Seek food and agricultural industrial partners from inside and outside of the state to recommend research challenges for resolution.
- Seek researchers from South Carolina universities and colleges for solving food and agricultural industry challenges with the intent to develop new entrepreneurial agribusiness entities in South Carolina.
- Seek research from non-traditional fields of study to bring fresh perspectives to solve food and agricultural industry challenges.
- Be proactive in providing timely information to industry partners and the public.
- Follow South Carolina Department of Agriculture, University, State of South Carolina, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
For further information please contact ACREgrants@scda.sc.gov