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ARSX2024 - Safeguarding Sources: The Quest to Sustain Genetic Diversity

Announcing the ARSX2024 Finalists!

We are incredibly excited to share this year’s three $100,000 ARSX2024 - Safeguarding Sources Challenge: The Quest to Sustain Genetic Diversity awardees. ARSX2024 challenged scientists and researchers to propose high-risk, high-reward ideas for a transformative solution to a serious agricultural problem.

Congratulations to the teams that stood out above the rest and are this year’s awardees:

Team R Gene Extravaganza

Diverse Genes, Robust Crops: Fortifying the Future

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Team Members: Rachel Naegele, Lina Quesada, Lindsey Thiessen, Amanda Hulse-Kemp, Kevin Dorn, Kevin Childs, Chris Richards, Justin Vaughn, Gina Brown-Guedira, Camilo Parada Rojas, Alex Cornwall, Robert Krueger

Team Germplasm Imagineers

Safeguarding Germplasm in Admixture Seed Libraries

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Team Members: Chris Gottschalk, Chris Dardick, Gennaro Fazio, Ben Gutierrez, Lauren Whitt

Team Crowdsourced Characterizations for Genetic Resources

Crowdsource Characterization for Genetic Resources

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Team Members: Sarah Dohle, Becky Povilus, Nico Enjalbert, Yu Ma

ARSX is a challenge open to ARS scientists and post-doctoral fellows to help them develop and test bold and aspirational ideas. The theme this year centered around Safeguarding Sources - The Quest to Sustain Genetic Diversity.

Congratulations to the 2024 awardees and all the amazing finalists!

For more information on ARSX, visit the ARSX challenge webpage. Questions about ARSX? Email ARSX@usda.gov

ARSX Overview

This year, we are germinating innovation across disciplines to offer an opportunity for fresh ideas and revolutionary approaches to sustain and enhance the genetic diversity of plants, animals, and microbes. Your expertise, whether in biotech, AI, engineering, ecology, or data analytics, has the power to shape the future of agriculture through our four pivotal subcategories:

Advanced Collection Techniques
Sophisticated Management Systems
Innovative Characterization Methods
Revolutionary Preservation Techniques:

In ARSX2024, the teams submitting the 10 most compelling ideas will be selected as Phase 1 finalists. These teams will have several weeks to participate in an innovation forum, to refine their ideas, and to build out their pitches. At the end of Phase 2, finalists will present their pitches to a panel of judges and an audience of
their peers and colleagues. The judges will award up to $100,000 each to the top three teams.

Timeline of Events

Challenge Launch	May 2, 2024
Introduction Webinar	May 7, 2024
Innovation Workshop	June 13, 2024
Phase 1 Submission Deadline	June 24, 2024
Judging	June 25 - July 31, 2024
Phase 1 Finalists Announced	August 7, 2024
Phase 2 Innovation Forum/Training	August - September 2024
Phase 2 Live Pitches, Final Event and Winners Announced	September 24, 2024

How to Get Involved

Check out the past events.

ARSX2023 - Secure Future Food Systems Through Safe and Sustainable Agriculture

ARSX2022 - Close the Loop: Innovations for a Circular Economy in Agriculture

ARSX2021 - Harvest for a Healthier Future

ARSX2020 - Disruptive Pests and Pathogens