Free IFT Webinar to Help Food and Beverage Professionals Overcome Federal Research Funding Cuts

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is hosting a free webinar that will help attendees navigate today’s challenging funding landscape. The webinar will provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations for researchers facing significant barriers in securing grant support due to recent federal budget cuts in the United States.

Expanding Opportunities: A Collaborative Approach to Securing Research Funding is being held from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. IFT’s Lisa Sanders will serve as host and moderator, while the presenters will include Hongda Chen, former National Program leader, Bioprocess Engineering and Technology at USDA-NIFA, and Rebecca Milczarek, Assistant Director, Research Development, 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 IFT Chief Science and Technology Officer Bryan Hitchcock.

At IFT FIRST, the annual food research, science, and technology event that is being held July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago, a panel of top experts from various fields will discuss “The Impact of Policy Changes on Research and Beyond – An Information Sharing Session.” The panel, which is being held from 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT on Monday, July 14, 2025, will dive into the operational challenges and adaptations required in response to evolving policies, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and innovation. The session will examine the implications of policy changes on regulatory compliance and intellectual property rights within the research domain and the session will also highlight the collaborative efforts and partnerships that are essential to navigate policy changes, ensuring continued progress and innovations that are grounded in science.

Register for IFT FIRST. Members receive special pricing to IFT FIRST. To learn more about becoming a member and taking advantage of networking and education opportunities year-round, email membershipinfo@ift.org.

Since its inception more than 85 years ago, IFT has advocated for increased funding for food, agriculture, and nutrition research. In this white paper, IFT examines public-private funding trends and the disproportional funding for food research relative to its contribution to the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, IFT’s Food Technology magazine addressed the research funding challenges that the next generation of researchers must contend with in terms of shifting priorities and resources in this exclusive article.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.

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