The Food Connection Now Accepting Proposals for Student Opportunity Grants

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 3, 2016) — The Food Connection, through an agreement with University of Kentucky Dining, has oversight of endowment income intended for the enrichment of student opportunities in the study of food and food systems. The endowment income — at the present, approximately $50,000 — will be awarded through a grant program for undergraduate and graduate students.

Last year, 12 proposals were selected that best fit the mission of The Food Connection. Each project showed strong potential impact on the community, developed solutions and creative strategies, and encompassed a vibrant, healthy and sustainable food economy.

Faculty, staff or students may submit projects in nutrition, food technology, food in culture and food production. Some funded projects in 2015 included New Roots in Lexington, a partnership between food desert communities and Kentucky farmers, and "Food Pathways in Ancient and Modern Times," a course about tracking plants and animals from ancient to modern day.

For proposals to be considered, a UK faculty or professional staff member must lead the project and guide the student(s). A maximum of $5,000 is offered per student and grants benefiting multiple students can receive up to $10,000.

With this opportunity, The Food Connection requests applications that will advance experimental education, community participation, student research and professional development. The program is open to all majors at UK and everyone with ideas visibly related to food or food systems is encouraged to apply.

Student Opportunity Grant proposals are due March 7. The grant application can be found here. Please email all proposals and questions to mssmith@uky.edu.

To keep up with the latest going on at The Food Connection, follow @UKyFood on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu