UKRI/FSA Citizen Science for Food Standards Challenges Call Open

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland are working collaboratively to coordinate activities and develop a joined-up approach to tackle the challenges of maintaining safe food in the UK.

The aim is to facilitate the spread of citizen science methods in the academic community and expand the range of people from outside of academia involved in research. The projects should also better equip the community to take advantage of future funding opportunities through new connections and skills in citizen science methods.

Applications should be related to one or more of the FSAs areas of research interest themes, which are arranged under four high level research priorities:

Priority one: food hypersensitivity and allergy

Priority two: assuring food safety and standards

Priority three: innovation in food regulation

Priority four: the future of food systems

Projects should be a collaboration between researchers, a specific group of citizens and, where appropriate, relevant partners from outside academia. This can include partnerships with organisations from private, public and non-profit sectors, as well as community representatives and groups. Citizens and partners should be involved in co-creating the projects and developing the application for funding where possible.

To lead a proposal, applicants must be based at a UK research organisation and can be from any discipline across the BBSRC and ESRC remits.

Principal and co-investigators must be employed by:

Higher education institute (HEI)

Research council institute (RCI)

Approved independent research organisation (IRO)

Public sector research establishment (PSRE).

Applicants must meet the standard BBSRC eligibility criteria.

The full economic cost can be up to £40,000. Projects are funded at 80% fEC.

For non-profit organisations (for example, charities, community groups), directly incurred, project-related costs can be claimed by the applicant at 100% full economic cost.

Applications can be submitted until the closing date of 4 May 2021 (16:00 BST).

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.