$50K Challenge Seeks Higher Nutritional Value in Crop Tissue

(USDA.gov)

A challenge on InnoCentive seeks new strategies through chemical, mechanical, or other means to improve the nutritional value of crop plant tissues. The competition has a prize of $50,000 and a deadline of 13 December 2011 for submissions.

InnoCentive in Waltham, Massachusetts is a company the conducts open-innovation crowd-sourcing competitions for corporate and organization sponsors. The sponsor of this challenge is not identified.

The challenge seeks ideas that can increase the digestibility of energy (carbohydrates, fiber, fat) from cereal grains and lower-energy crops, by chemical treatment, mechanical processing, or other technologies. Submissions require a written proposal that will be reviewed by the sponsor.

To receive the challenge award, entrants will need to transfer exclusive intellectual property (IP) rights to the sponsor. However, the sponsor will consider a licensing arrangement in exchange for a partial award if IP rights cannot be transferred.

Read more: Challenge Seeks Faster, Simpler Crop Analysis Methods

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