Apply for funding to research dietary health inequalities in the UK food system, taking a food systems approach to design and deliver place-based, solution-focused interventions.

You must be based at a UK research organization eligible for Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funding, which will administer the funding on behalf of UKRI.

Your project must be interdisciplinary and collaborate with at least one stakeholder organization (government, business, or the third sector).

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £1,875,000. BBSRC will fund 80% of the FEC

Proposals should address dietary health inequalities in the UK food system through a collaborative and interdisciplinary lens. Here are some key aspects to consider:

• Understanding Inequalities: The research should delve into the root causes of dietary health inequalities within the UK context. This may involve examining factors like socioeconomic status, geographic location, ethnicity, access to healthy food options, and cultural influences.

• Food Systems Approach: The project should adopt a holistic approach that considers all stages of the food system. This could involve investigating issues related to food production, processing, distribution, retail, and access, and how these factors contribute to dietary inequalities.

• Place-Based Interventions: The research should culminate in the design and implementation of targeted interventions within specific communities facing these inequalities. These interventions should be grounded in the specific needs and contexts of those communities. Examples may include community gardens, nutrition education programs, partnerships with local food retailers, or policy initiatives aimed at improving food access and affordability.

• Collaboration: Interdisciplinary collaboration is a cornerstone of this program. Researchers are expected to partner with at least one stakeholder organization, such as a government agency, a food business, or a non-profit organization working in the food system. This collaboration is crucial for ensuring the research is not only theoretically sound but also translates into practical solutions with real-world impact.

• Evaluation and Dissemination: The project should establish clear metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented interventions. The research team should also have a plan for disseminating findings and best practices to inform broader efforts to address dietary health inequalities across the UK.

Who is eligible to apply

The project lead must be based at a UK research organization eligible for BBSRC funding, and apply.

For this funding opportunity, you may apply only once as a project lead but may appear as a project co-lead on other applications, preferably not more than two in total (one as project lead and one as project co-lead).

There is no limit to the number of project co-leads per application, but it must be clear from the application what unique contribution each co-lead will make to the success of the proposed project. Project co-lead(s) must be based at a UK research organization eligible for BBSRC funding.

If sub-contracting to a third-sector organization, this can be applied for at 100% FEC.

Who is not eligible to apply

Project leads and project co-leads from non-UK organizations are not eligible to apply for funding for this opportunity.

Deadline

BBSRC must receive your application by 19 September 2024 at 4:00 pm UK time.

You will not be able to apply after this time.

Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.

Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

By supporting research that combines a food systems approach with place-based interventions, this grant program aims to create a more equitable and healthy food system for all UK residents.