Historically high number of applications for organic projects
Økologisk NuThere is a record-high interest in organic research projects aimed at developing organic farming. The research, innovation, and demonstration program Organic RDD, which supports the sector with new knowledge, practical solutions, and interdisciplinary collaborations, has received a historically high number of applications for project funding. This time, the program has received 33 applications with a total requested amount of 235 million DKK, which far exceeds the program's budget. According to Jørn Jespersen, chairman of the board of Icrofs, which helps coordinate the Organic RDD program, there is nearly a doubling in the number of applicants compared to last year. "We see a significant interest across many different areas within organic production and food systems – from production conditions, consumer needs, crop cultivation, fruit growing, biodiversity, and biogas to livestock projects involving cattle, pigs, poultry, rabbits, and aquaculture," says Jørn Jespersen in a press release from Icrofs. "The high demand and the professional diversity indicate a clear need for innovative and competitive solutions that can strengthen climate, environment, drinking water, nature, biodiversity, and animal welfare. This also calls for increased and more long-term focus on funding research," he continues. Valuing multi-year projects highly This year, the government and a broad majority in the Danish Parliament have allocated 50.5 million DKK for organic research through the program, which Icrofs coordinates together with GUDP under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries. Icrofs’ board will now assess the applications and recommend to the GUDP board which projects they find relevant to fund. The submitted applications will be evaluated based on their ability to collaborate with industry, their interdisciplinary approach, and their capacity to contribute to holistic solutions aimed at developing food systems and food consumption towards a high degree of sustainability in terms of nature, climate, environment, health, welfare, as well as economic and social aspects. Project leaders will receive an answer at the end of the year regarding whether they will be granted support for their projects. Icrofs expects to launch a new Organic RDD fund for organic research at the beginning of 2027.
There is a record-high interest in organic research projects aimed at developing organic agriculture.
The research, innovation, and demonstration program Organic RDD, which supports the sector with new knowledge, practical solutions, and interdisciplinary collaborations, has indeed received a historically high number of grant applications for projects.
This time, the program has received 33 applications with a total requested amount of DKK 235 million, which far exceeds the program's funding.
According to Jørn Jespersen, chairman of the board of Icrofs, which helps coordinate the Organic RDD program, there is almost a doubling in the number of applicants compared to last year.
"We see a significant interest in many different areas within organic production and food systems – ranging from conditions in production, consumer needs, crop cultivation, fruit cultivation, biodiversity, and biogas to livestock projects involving cattle, pigs, poultry, rabbits, and aquaculture," says Jørn Jespersen in a press release from Icrofs.
"The high demand and the professional diversity indicate a clear need for innovative and competitive solutions that can strengthen climate, environment, drinking water, nature, biodiversity, and animal welfare. This also calls for increased and more long-term focus on the financing of research," he continues.
Valuing multi-year projects highly
This year, the government and a broad majority in the Danish Parliament have allocated DKK 50.5 million to organic research through the program, which Icrofs coordinates together with GUDP under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries.
Icrofs’ board will now assess the applications and recommend to the GUDP board which projects they find relevant to fund.
The submitted applications will be evaluated, among other things, on their ability to collaborate with industry, their interdisciplinary approach, and their capacity to contribute with holistic solutions aimed at developing food systems and food consumption towards a high degree of sustainability in relation to nature, climate, environment, health, welfare, as well as economic and social aspects.
Project leaders will receive an answer at the end of the year whether they will be granted support for their projects.
Icrofs expects to be able to launch a new Organic RDD fund for organic research at the beginning of 2027.