Funding for the Student Challenge is provided by SFMA’s 501 (c) 3 charity, The SAFE Foundation. SAFE provides $10,000 annually: $5,000 is awarded to the winning team from a two-year program and $5,000 is awarded to the winning team from a four-year program. These awards are used to enhance an agronomic program’s outdoor learning laboratory for the students. Some winners have purchased field maintenance products and equipment; other have used their winnings to fund their research.