Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. received a $584,479 project grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2030. The award supports research examining the social and communication aspects of food upcycling technologies—processes that transform food by-products and surplus ingredients into value-added food products. The project addresses a critical barrier to upcycling adoption by investigating consumer and stakeholder perceptions regarding product quality, safety, and production practices.

The project will deliver integrated research, education, and outreach products designed to advance public acceptance and responsible adoption of upcycling technologies. Deliverables include empirical findings from stakeholder engagement activities, national survey research, and experimental studies identifying factors influencing consumer acceptance; evidence-based communication strategies and messaging approaches tested for effectiveness; and practical educational and outreach materials including online resources, webinars, and communication tools disseminated through extension and professional networks. By translating research findings into accessible, trustworthy communication materials, the project supports dialogue among food producers, scientists, retailers, extension professionals, and consumers to strengthen integration of upcycling technologies into food systems.