Danone Institute North America calls for proposals for sustainability grant

Danone’s non-profit foundation, Danone Institute North America (DINA), has put out a request for proposals for the third offering of its biennial competitive sustainability grant.

The DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative (formerly called One Planet. One Health) is now accepting submissions from eligible applicants in the U.S. and Canada, with a commitment of US$260,000 in funding.

Up to five transdisciplinary teams whose projects sit at the intersection of community, health of people and health of the planet will receive US$50,000 to support and expand their project. 

Selected grantees will be challenged to design, implement and evaluate actionable community-based projects for sustainable food systems that improve human health and nutrition over a two-year period, from 2023 to 2025. 

An additional US$10,000 will be granted to the team with the strongest communications plan, to be awarded in the fall of 2023.

"We encourage educators, researchers and activists interested in sparking innovation to apply and share their vision for actionable, transdisciplinary, community-based efforts that integrate sustainable food systems with human health and nutrition," said Leslie Lytle, president, board of directors, DINA, and adjunct professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "The DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative provides essential funding for upstart projects, especially in under-resourced areas, enabling local leaders from diverse backgrounds to turn their singular project into a lasting program."

Prospective teams must include four members representing relevant, diverse disciplines related to food systems, including but not limited to: nutrition, health, economics, agriculture, community food access and social, behavioral or environmental sciences. At least one team member must be a current academic faculty member.

Applications close June 14.