Opportunity to join the Biofortification Hub now open for membership and funding applications

A new innovation hub on the Norwich Research Park focused on research into biofortification is now open to membership applications from the industry and academic research community in the United Kingdom.

Anyone working on biofortification, at any career stage, is welcome to join this network by applying to become a member.

Whether you’re in a university or research institute, in a company involved in the biofortification of food or animal feed, a policymaker, or a member of a professional organisation you can benefit from joining this community. Applying for membership of the Hub is simple and free.

The Biofortification Hub will provide support and research grants for innovative projects, with a mission to promote interactions, collaborations and research projects between industry and academia. It will also support the UK biofortification community by disseminating opportunities and information in the broader area of health and nutrition.

Biofortification Hub Manager, Dr Philippe Vain said: “We hope that we can bring together and support the fantastic biofortification community in the UK and spark new innovations and collaborations. I’d invite anyone working in this exciting area to become a member and join us in helping deliver more nutritious food.”

A new website https://biofortificationhub.org/, is now live and gives access to a range funding opportunities for research and mobility between academia and industry, as well as opportunities to attend workshops and meetings, all with the aim of developing fruitful partnerships.

Professor Cathie Martin from the John Innes Centre and hub co-lead said: “Research and investment in biofortification will encourage productive collaboration between research, the food industry sector, and regulatory bodies. The Biofortification Hub offers support for key steps to reduce the economic and societal burdens of health care, especially in aging populations.”

Further collaborations will be nurtured through partnering opportunities in the hub’s Researcher Meet Industry initiative that links primarily early career researchers with companies and organisations keen to host them.

Dr Jon Clarke, Head of Business Development at the John Innes Centre said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for researchers to develop new concepts and accelerate their translation into new food and feed products with wide ranging health and wellbeing impacts. This Hub will fund placements for early-career researchers, enabling them to build relationships and develop the skills required to transition into roles in industry.”