Ryan Dowdy, a former NASA meals scientist, gained an innovation analysis grant from the USDA to assist additional develop a meal alternative bar for first responders. His grant stays frozen, together with others, pending evaluation.
Ryan Dowdy
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Ryan Dowdy
On Jan. 13, Ryan Dowdy was thrilled to study he’d gained a prestigious grant from the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
The USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research program seemed to be an ideal match for Dowdy’s fledgling enterprise, ReadyBAR.
A former NASA scientist who managed the food system on the International Space Station from 2018 to 2021, Dowdy needed to use know-how utilized in area to assist folks on Earth who work in related high-stress environments.
He had developed a meal alternative bar for first responders, whose dietary calls for he figured are much like these of astronauts. He deliberate to make use of the USDA grant to enhance the bar’s taste and texture and to make sure a two-year shelf life.
However two weeks after receiving information that his proposal was “meritorious,” the Trump administration ordered a pause on all federal financial assistance, together with grants.
Regardless of court orders to unfreeze funds, Dowdy has not acquired the emails or paperwork he was informed to count on, finalizing his award.
“100%, I am fearful that I’ll by no means see this funding,” he says.
Disruption felt throughout the nation
In all 50 states, Individuals are feeling the ripple results of the Trump administration’s actions in Washington.
1000’s — seemingly tens of 1000’s — of federal staff and contractors have already lost their jobs. Federally-funded research is on maintain. Farmers who provide overseas help packages are unable to sell their grain.
Though courts have ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze funding, many programs remain paused.
“The one info that I’ve gotten from the USDA is that the funds are frozen, all of them, throughout all packages indefinitely,” says Dowdy.
A childhood fascination results in a job at NASA
Rising up in Alabama, Dowdy was at all times concerned about science.
Whereas different youngsters ran lemonade stands, he’d combine oil and vinegar and add drops of meals coloring and promote it as “chemical compounds” for 10 cents a bit.
“I feel folks thought, ‘Who is that this bizarre child?'” he says.
Later, whereas engaged on his doctorate in meals science and know-how on the College of California, Davis, a professor requested him the place he noticed himself working after ending his diploma.
“And I mentioned, ‘You realize, what could be actually cool is to make meals for the astronauts.’ And he mentioned, ‘You realize, that is humorous as a result of I do know any individual at NASA,'” Dowdy recollects.
That connection led to a couple internships at NASA and ultimately a full-time job as the International Space Station’s food system manager.
Turning area meals into Earth meals
Dowdy says there are three principal kinds of meals that astronauts eat in area. First, there’s thermostabilized meals, which has similarities to canned meals, in that it may be opened and eaten with a spoon. Chili and grits, for instance.
Then there’s freeze-dried meals, such because the freeze-dried ice cream offered in area museum present outlets.
“Belief me, we by no means despatched that to the Worldwide House Station,” Dowdy says with fun.
Lastly, there are what scientists name “intermediate moisture merchandise,” which have some moisture however not sufficient that micro organism can develop.
It is that know-how that caught with Dowdy even after he left NASA and moved to California to be nearer to household. He began fascinated by one group of individuals specifically who may benefit from its use on Earth: first responders.
Dowdy’s product ReadyBAR is a meal alternative bar for first responders that employs the identical know-how used to make meals for astronauts on the Worldwide House Station.
Ryan Dowdy
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Ryan Dowdy
Like astronauts, first responders usually lack the time to sit down right down to a meal. They want a product with an prolonged shelf life to maintain of their “go” luggage, one thing that will not give them a sugar crash.
A extremely aggressive and fascinating grant
Dowdy launched his firm final yr with some pre-seed cash, assembled a small crew of advisers, and began experimenting to see whether or not he may make a meal alternative bar that would take the place of the high-sugar choices that dominate the market.
He’d hoped that the USDA grant would assist his small enterprise get by “the valley of loss of life” — that area between having a inventive thought and getting it to market.
The grants are extremely aggressive and fascinating, Dowdy says, as a result of they’re so good for small companies.
“The federal government is not asking for a bit of possession in return, which is commonly what buyers need. And so they’re additionally not asking that the cash be paid again,” he says.
The website for the USDA’s Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis program describes its mission as supporting “top quality analysis associated to necessary scientific issues and alternatives in agriculture that would result in vital public advantages.”
“It is nearly funding good science that solves issues to feed folks higher,” says Dowdy.
“So throughout the aisle” — but nonetheless frozen
Though his funds weren’t anticipated to stream till later this yr, Dowdy was trying ahead to the USDA’s press launch saying the most recent grantees. That sort of publicity will be invaluable for producing buzz amongst buyers and the broader public.
As a substitute, on Jan. 27 the White Home Workplace of Administration and Price range introduced the funding freeze. The Trump administration mentioned it wanted time to evaluation all grants to make sure they do not battle with any of the president’s government orders or coverage priorities.
That day, Dowdy occurred to be on the cellphone with a possible investor who requested if he thought his USDA grant is likely to be frozen.
“And I mentioned, ‘No method. We’re an American small enterprise. We’re fueling first responders for emergency conditions. That is one thing that’s so throughout the aisle, all people can get behind us. There is no method that this funding is frozen,'” recollects Dowdy.
Seems, he was unsuitable. His challenge was on maintain, together with everybody else’s.
Enterprise and life plans on maintain for now
A federal choose has since ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funding, together with on open awards, however Dowdy has heard nothing about his grant.
A USDA spokesperson informed NPR that grantees will hear extra as soon as the brand new agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, can analyze the critiques. Rollins was confirmed by the Senate final week.
Dowdy had large plans for the yr. He was trying to rent a analysis technician, his first worker. He hoped to scale up manufacturing to carry down prices. He and his spouse had additionally deliberate to start out a household.
“So this uncertainty makes the grant state of affairs particularly difficult and irritating,” he says. “It has been very irritating and really quiet.”
