Eligible applicants: Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations or Type III supporting organizations. Healthy Eating Research may require additional documentation from organizations not meeting these criteria. Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.
Award amount: $50,000
Eligible projects: The target population is children (0-18 years) and young adults (19-25 years) in the United States, with high priority on those who are at highest risk for poor nutrition, obesity, and food insecurity. This includes families with low and middle incomes, and racially and ethnically diverse populations (e.g., Black, Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander).
Proposals should focus on a specific program or policy change. Some examples of research topics include, but are not limited to:
• Evaluation of state-level waivers for SNAP restrictions of unhealthy foods, such as sugary beverages and candy.
• Impacts of cuts to federal nutrition programs (i.e., school meals, CACFP, SNAP, and WIC) and program changes (i.e., work requirements) on:
- program reach and/or participation;
- food insecurity, nutrition, health, and/or economic outcomes; and
- program implementation, such as administrative burdens and retailer perspectives.
• Impacts of tariffs on food prices and food purchases.
• State and local government responses and actions to federal cuts or waivers in nutrition
assistance programs, including effects of shifting financial responsibility to states.
• Effects of immigration-related policies on participation in nutrition assistance programs
among eligible children in mixed-status households.
• Potential impacts on federal nutrition assistance programs of adopting 2025-2030
Dietary Guidelines for Americans that differ from those proposed by the DGA Scientific
Committee.
• Industry responses to policy changes at the federal and state levels, including effects of
voluntary and mandatory changes to food labeling, dyes, and additives.
All proposed studies must have a clear impact on children and families or young adults in the U.S. and have the potential to reduce inequities related to health and well-being. Studies must have a link to nutrition, diet quality, weight, or food insecurity, but can also include other health
indicators. Studies must have a clear, data-driven, and testable research question with a rigorous study design. A variety of research designs and analyses, including mixed methods, linkages of existing data sources, and legal analyses, can be used to answer research questions.
Summary: This special CFP aims to fund solution-oriented research studies, strategic policy-relevant reports, and evaluations of time-sensitive programs and policy changes. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how recent changes to nutrition policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels impact nutrition, health, and economic outcomes among diverse families living with limited incomes.
Evidence generated through this special solicitation should be timely and policy-relevant. It is important that submitted proposals do not just explore the current landscape but highlight implications of program, policy, and budget changes under the current administration.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are committed. Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $50,000 and 10 months in duration. Proposals requesting lower budget amounts and shorter periods (e.g., 6 months) are encouraged.
