Through its network of dynamic hubs and aligned funding, the Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC) programme has created a collaborative environment that bridges the gap between discovery science and application, supporting cutting-edge research translation into real-world impact.
The programme initiatives demonstrate how targeted R&D can deliver healthier and more sustainable diets and unlock new market opportunities. Funded projects are diverse and exciting; from pioneering the world’s first omega-3 enriched tomatoes to inulin-infused tea, from designing functional foods to support people living with Parkinson’s disease, to the UK’s first independent prebiotic guide, from developing processes for sustainable UK-grown botanicals to innovative sustainable changes to enhance the nutritional profile of eggs, the projects exemplify the transformative power of partnership.
Why not read more about OIRC funded projects in the resource developed for the BBSRC and British Nutrition Foundation showcase event Accelerating Impact in Diet and Health. This showcase held in January 2026, brought together high-profile academia, industry, regulatory bodies, third sector and policy communities across the food and nutrition sector to discuss the future of Diet and Health in the UK and sector priorities.
