What We Do

IFNHP brings together individuals from the University of Michigan’s campuses, the Michigan Medicine health system, community partners, policymakers, and program administrators across local, state, and federal agencies, including departments of health and education. Together we advance rigorous, partnership-driven research that strengthens food and nutrition policy to improve health and well-being. Each program below is an open invitation to collaborate.

Mature woman gives fresh produce to young adult daughter

Areas of Expertise

Our members’ work spans a range of food and nutrition policy domains, including:

  • Implementation and Impacts of Federal, State, and Local Nutrition Assistance Programs
  • Food as Medicine Interventions and Infrastructure, including Prescription Produce, Medically Tailored Meals, and In Lieu of Services within Michigan
  • Nutrition Labeling and Product Regulation
  • Food and Nutrition Security
  • Structural Determinants of Food Access
  • Ultraprocessed Foods
  • Sustainable Food Systems and Supply Chains, including Rural and Tribal Food Systems
  • Food Justice and Food as a Human Right
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy and Dietary Counseling
  • Food and Nutrition Policy Research and Evaluation Methodologies

Our Programs

Food for Thought:
Educational and Networking Events

Regular events that promote in-person learning, skill building, and networking, including sessions with policymakers and their staff, community-engaged discussions of emerging issues, and skill-building on research-to-policy dissemination. Everyone is welcome, whether you come to learn, to share your expertise, or to meet others working toward nourished communities.

The Kitchen:
Community Engagement Studios

Project-specific working sessions that bring together new pairings of investigative teams and external stakeholders to advance policy-relevant research design, implementation, and dissemination. If you have a project that would benefit from fresh perspectives, or a community priority in search of a research partner, the Kitchen is where those pairings begin.

This opportunity is in development

The Pantry:
Research and Policy Engagement Support

The right ingredients to connect research to impact, from developing policy briefs to convening teams that accelerate translation of research into policy.

New Pantry resources and briefs are in development. Join our interest list to be the first to know as they launch, or reach out if you have a translation need we can help with now.

Recipe for Success:
Pilot Grant Program

Recipe for Success provides internal funding to advance policy-relevant food and nutrition research.

Pilot and Feasibility Grants

support early-stage projects that generate preliminary data toward a future external grant application. Awards are up to $20,000.

Pilot Grant RFP Pilot Grant Application Form

MINI Grants

provide small, flexible awards of up to $1,000 for catalytic, mission-aligned activities such as travel, relationship-building, dissemination, or a student stipend. They are open to investigators, trainees, and community partners.

Mini Grant RFP mini Grant Application Form

The Scoop

Our newsletter brings you food and nutrition policy news and opportunities within Michigan and beyond, IFNHP events and funding opportunities, and work from our members. Served up fresh monthly.

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