Foresight Science & Technology Awarded Competitive Grant from the National Science Foundation

HOPKINTON, Mass. - Sept. 30, 2020 - PRLog -- Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. (Foresight) has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant grant as part of a cooperative research development agreement (CRADA) with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, to conduct research and development (R&D) on an environmentally neutral product for control of red imported fire ants (RIFA). This project intends to establish a proof of concept for the use of taste masking agents that are already used in human and animal medications to mask the negative taste of an effective active ingredient for use in a pest ant bait station. The commercial impacts of the proposed activity will be to provide consumers and gardeners an effective, affordable, and environmentally responsible treatment for controlling RIFA as an alternative to existing chemical pesticides. The addressable market for the product is households and professional pest control service companies in the 14 infested states that currently use chemical pesticides to control RIFA, and additional households and service companies that would use bait stations if an organic solution was available.

"NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering," said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. "With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs."

"Foresight appreciates the support of the NSF and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. As a long-time provider of commercialization services to SBIR funded companies, we recognize the importance of small businesses and their entrepreneurial efforts to bring innovative and important products and services to the marketplace. With funding from the NSF SBIR, Foresight is excited to be one of those small businesses." – Norton Kaplan, Foresight Science & Technology President & COO

About the NSF's Small Business Programs: NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America's Seed Fund powered by NSF, awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.75 million to support R&D, helping de-risk technology for commercial success. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about the program, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/