Call to Transform the UK Food System for Healthy People and a Healthy Environment

Proposals are invited for interdisciplinary research consortia to link healthy and accessible diets with sustainable food production and supply to help drive food system transformation. This programme aims to address health, environmental and social challenges simultaneously, bringing together researchers, policymakers, business and civil society to develop evidence for multi-pronged and simultaneous action across the food system.

The call is part of a wider £47.5 million interdisciplinary research programme led by the Global Food Security Programme (GFS) and supported by UKRI’s Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF). It is administered by BBSRC, in partnership with ESRC, MRC, NERC, Defra, DHSC, PHE, Innovate UK and FSA.

Proposals must address two major themes:

Defining a transformed UK food system that places healthy people and a healthy natural environment at its centre.

Delivering food system transformation in the UK.

Applicant consortia are not expected to address all stages of the food system; however, all projects should address aspects of both themes.

Standard BBSRC eligibility criteria apply for applicants. Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs) with 10 or more researchers with PhDs (or equivalent) are also eligible to apply. Private sector organisations, charities and NGOs which do not have UKRI-approved IRO status may participate as collaborative partners, but such organisations are not eligible to apply for or receive direct funding.

Up to £25 million is available to support pre-competitive research proposals subject to the quality of proposals received, with the aim of supporting an appropriately broad and balanced portfolio. Funds can be requested for up to five years and must not exceed £6 million (representing the 80% contribution to the full economic cost).

Outline applications must be submitted by 26 November 2019.

Two workshops will be held to communicate more details about the research call and facilitate networking:

Manchester (city centre) – 21 October.

London (central) – 25 October.

In order to be eligible, attendees should be:

Employed as a researcher at a UK Higher Education Institute, Research Institute, or Independent Research Organisation that is eligible to receive grant funding from the Research Councils. Researchers based outside of the UK will not be eligible.

A representative of a UK based business, regulatory body, academic organisation, research and technology organisation (RTO), charity or civil society organisation.

Expression of interest for workshop participation closes on 13 October 2019 (12pm).

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.