Cross-Cutting Strategy, Themes and Projects

The CRFS has a portfolio of cross-cutting grants, as well as a set of cross-cutting themes that address topics of interest across the program. Cross-cutting grants are described below, while cross-cutting themes, described to the right, are supported by thematic groups as well as discussions and meetings carried out at the program and regional levels.

Cross-cutting grants support all three CRFS regions and/or address key program themes. The CRFS portfolio contains three types of cross-cutting grants.

• One group of grants provides project support to project grantees in multiple regions. These include grants made for research methods support (RMS), agroecology support, leadership development in West Africa and in East & Southern Africa, and soils support.
• Another category covers cutting-edge innovation, such as projects aimed at the creation of data systems and apps.
• A third type supports networking and collective action in global agricultural policy and practice.  This type includes grants supporting the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and the AgroEcology Fund, as well as the Agroecology Knowledge Hub of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).”

Click here to see a graphic depiction of our Thematic Buckets of CRFS Active Projects.

­Agrobiodiversity

Agricultural biodiversity contributes to productivity, resilience and diets. Over the past decade, CRFS-funded teams have conducted research across the value chains of diverse crops. Read more here.

Soil health

The basis of agricultural productivity, soil health is essential for healthy diets and thus for human health. Organic matter is the engine of soil health, so it is critical to planetary health through carbon sequestration and ecosystem services. Read more here.

Ecological pest, weed & disease management

Smallholder farmers face substantial challenges from the diverse insects and pathogens that attack their crops and the weeds that compete with or feed on them. Read more here.