Nutrition in emergency situations - Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)

This program supports initiatives aimed at improving nutrition in emergency situations by promoting the local, sustainable production of Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). It targets a diverse range of entities, including research organizations and businesses, with a strong emphasis on collaborations between European and African partners to address food and nutrition security challenges, particularly in African Union member states. The overarching goal is to enhance food systems, ensuring they are sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and aligned with planetary boundaries.

This program specifically funds research and innovation activities related to sustainable food systems, with a strong focus on developing and locally producing nutritional supplements for emergency situations. It covers a range of scientific and technological developments from applied research to pilot testing, aiming to integrate local resources and address climate and environmental concerns within the food processing and nutrition sectors.

The program provides financial support primarily through grants, specifically using a lump sum model. For this topic, two grants are expected, each offering a substantial financial contribution to facilitate impactful research and innovation in emergency nutrition. While a specific project duration is not outlined, the program aligns with the broader Horizon Europe framework.

Applicants and beneficiaries must adhere to various conditions, including detailed requirements for consortium formation, specific budget stipulations for lump sums and third-party funding, and the mandatory integration of multi-actor and social sciences and humanities approaches. These provisions ensure projects are well-structured, collaborative, and ethically sound.

The application process for this funding program is a single-stage submission, requiring applicants to use specific forms and adhere to guidelines detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The evaluation process is clearly defined, ensuring transparency in how proposals are assessed and grants are awarded.

This funding program is officially established and governed by comprehensive legal frameworks and policy documents from the European Union. These foundational texts ensure the program's legitimacy, outline its operational principles, and guide the management of funds and beneficiaries.