Intensive work at the research foundation as this year’s applications are assessed

Work began in the spring, designing the calls for our three focus areas: Food and health; Agriculture and machinery; and Bioenergy and green materials. Because our foundation conducts practical applied research, this was done in dialogue with Lantmännen’s various operations and by monitoring events in world around us.

This year’s call for ‘Food and health’ highlighted cereals and legumes as an important part of the Nordic diet. We are looking for research on health impacts and knowledge that can support the development of tasty, healthy and innovative foods and ingredients. Bread is an important food category, a key dietary staple, where research on flour and baking chemistry is the focus of development.

In the area of agriculture, the foundation wants to fund research that can support the development of profitable and sustainable crop and livestock production. In ‘Bioenergy and green materials’, we need to know about how the entire agricultural value chain can be used to contribute to a more bio-based society. Three review panels – one per areas – assess the applications, first singly, then the assessments are summarised at a joint meeting. Each panel has nine participants: three academics who examine scientific excellence and quality, three farmers who look at the farming benefits and long-term approach, and three assessors from Lantmännen who consider the business benefits. When the review panels meet, the applications are ranked according to criteria such as scientific quality and the project’s feasibility and relevance to the sector. The foundation’s board then takes the final decision on allocating funds to different projects.

Applicants for funding in this year’s open call will be informed of the outcome in December, whether their applications were granted funding or rejected. The next step is to begin planning the start of the projects that will produce new and exciting research results. Part of the foundation’s mission is disseminating the results of its research. Cerealier is an important channel for this, as we highlight current research on food and health with a focus on cereals and legumes. The first issue of 2025 will contain more information about these new projects.