Research call: Understanding the challenges of the food system

The FSA and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), under the multi-agency Global Food Security programme, are inviting research proposals for projects related to understanding the challenges of the food system. Joint funding of up to £1.87m at 100% full economic costing is available for four to six projects.

The UK food system is embedded in a wider system that is increasingly globalised. The FSA and ESRC have identified an area of mutual interest around the challenges that this presents to the UK agri-food system, food safety, food fraud/crime and consumer trust.

We are keen to support research around the safety and confidence effects of different approaches to food provision, supply chain management and organisation, and how any findings might lead to policy interventions and influence consumer, regulator and industry behaviours. These projects are to have a specific focus in understanding the challenges to the UK food system and should last a maximum of two years.

How to apply

The closing date for proposals is 4pm on Thursday, 30 January 2014.

The ESRC is administering the commissioning process on behalf of the partners. More information on the research call, including details of how to apply, can be found on ESRC website via the ‘External sites’ links on this page.