MN Corn prepares to evaluate Primary Research Program proposals
Minnesota Corn will soon begin evaluating 2024 proposals for the program that funds university-level research focused on increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of corn farming.
Submissions to Minnesota Corn’s Primary Research Program for 2024 are due tomorrow, and the organization will announce funding decisions by March 1. Like in past years, Minnesota Corn will allocate approximately $2 million to research projects through the program, which is open to university-level researchers and scientists.
For years, as part of its mission to increase opportunities for corn farmers while improving quality of life, Minnesota Corn has allocated corn check-off funds to professional research projects.
To receive funding, projects must focus on production stewardship or new uses for corn, ethanol, and ethanol co-products, such as dried distillers grains with solubles. Projects often stretch for multiple years, though researchers must reapply for funding each year for a given project.
In 2023 alone, Minnesota Corn allocated funding to over 15 projects through the Primary Research Program. These included research into new corn-based plastics and polymers, variable rate irrigation, correlations between enhanced efficiency fertilizers and nitrogen losses, and more.
Minnesota Corn’s Discovery & Development Team evaluates proposals. The team includes members of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council and Minnesota Corn Growers Association Board of Directors.
To learn more about Minnesota Corn’s research program and get updates on Minnesota Corn-funded research projects, visit mncorn.org/research. You can also learn more about research projects by listening to the Minnesota Corn Podcast. If you have additional questions about Minnesota Corn’s research program, contact Minnesota Corn’s research director, Dr. Maciej Kazula, at mkazula@mncorn.org.
