Ottawa/CMEDIA: As part of the National School Food Program: the Funding Research for Evidence in School Food and Health (FRESH) Team Grant, a new school food-focused research funding opportunity was jointly announced today by Anna Gainey, Secretary of State (Children and Youth), and Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.
“Our investments are helping more children access nutritious food at school to support their learning and development while saving parents hundreds of dollars on their groceries. The FRESH Team Grant is… ensuring school food programs remain accountable, equitable and able to reach more families across the country.” Anna Gainey said.
“A child cannot excel in school if they are hungry. The National School Food Program was created to ensure all children in Canada have the nutritious food they need to learn, grow and thrive. Through FRESH, we are funding research…to deliver the program in a way that truly supports children’s health, learning, and long-term well-being,” Marjorie Michel said.
To support school food research through the FRESH Team Grant, a total of $12.6 million over three years is being made available including commitments of: $9 million from Employment and Social Development Canada; $2.7 million from the Public Health Agency of Canada; and $900,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
“CIHR is proud to contribute $900,000 to support research with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, schools and communities…ensuring programs are effective, equitable and responsive to community realities…research that moves beyond knowledge generation to drive meaningful improvements in health,”
Dr. Paul Hébert, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research said.
Up to 14 grants across the following three funding pools will be supported by this funding:
- Health, Well-Being and Socioeconomic Effects of School Food Programs
- Policy and Program Design and Delivery for Equitable Outcomes
- School Food Programs and First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students, Schools and Communities
Applicants Are required to register to apply by June 25, 2026, and will have until Oct 7, 2026, to submit their applications. Detailed information about each funding pool, eligibility and how to apply can be got by consulting ResearchNet.
The Government of Canada continues to implement the National School Food Program with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to ensure that this funding opportunity for school food programs in Canada continues to be informed by robust, applied research and real community needs.
“We are committed to advancing projects that support healthy eating and easy access to healthy foods. By expanding the available research on school food programs, FRESH will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of children and youth living in Canada,” Nancy Hamzawi, President, Public Health Agency of Canada said.
