The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is hosting a free webinar that will help attendees navigate federal research funding cuts impacting food researchers in the U.S. The webinar will provide insights and recommendations for researchers facing significant barriers in securing grant support.

The presentation, “Expanding Opportunities: A Collaborative Approach to Securing Research Funding,” is taking place 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 2. It will be hosted and moderated by IFT’s Lisa Sanders, and presenters will include Hongda Chen, former national program leader of bioprocess engineering and technology at USDA-NIFA; and Rebecca Milczarek, assistant director of research development at University of Illinois Chicago.

“Food research is vital to ensuring a safe and secure food supply as it addresses complex challenges in a constantly changing food system. Research funding supports the development of food that is safe, nutritious, and accessible to all, and as a community, we must come together and collaborate on a path forward to ensure critical food research continues,” said Bryan Hitchcock, chief science and technology officer for IFT.

Similarly, at IFT First, held from July 13-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, experts from various fields will speak at a discussion called “The Impact of Policy Changes on Research and Beyond – An Information Sharing Session.” The panel, to be held on July 14 from 10:15-11:30 a.m. CDT, will dive into operational challenges and adaptations require to respond to evolving policies. The session will examine the impact of policy changes on regulatory compliance and intellectual property rights within the research domain and the session will also highlight collaborative efforts and partnerships that are essential to navigate policy changes.