GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The development of new societally acceptable approaches/strategies/tools for healthy and sustainable diets that reduce diet-related NCDs requires a systemic approach involving a wide diversity of actors and sectors at different levels (from local to international). These include policy makers and public authorities, health care providers, schools and higher education establishments, food producers and processors, retailers, hospitality and food services (e.g. restaurants, canteens), researchers, non-governmental consumer and patient organisations, science brokers and private individuals.

Proposals are expected to address the following:

• Mapping and monitoring of the diet-related NCD situation (e.g. cardiovascular and heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, cancer and allergies) at the EU level, based on a literature review to better understand the relationship between lifestyle (including diet, nutrition and alcohol, physical activity), physiological and genetic parameters including the human microbiome, gender and sex, geographical placement (national/regional/neighbourhood and rural/urban zone), socio-economic, cultural and environmental (with particular reference to the human exposome) factors, biological parameters (including genomics and microbiomes), and the risk of NCDs.
• Development of standardised methods for collecting (missing) data, using existing data/studies/cohorts and increasing the use of big data and artificial intelligence to elucidate the complex interactions between diet and human health.
• Development of advanced and easy-to-use biomarkers of risk/response for NCDs, including non-invasive and microbiome-based ones. etc. 

Activities should build and expand on the results of past and ongoing research projects. Proposals are expected to show support for common coordination and dissemination activities. Applicants should plan the necessary budget to cover such activities.