Canada Launches $12.6M FRESH Team Grant for Research on School Food Programs

Hook

The Government of Canada has announced a major new funding opportunity: the FRESH (Funding Research for Evidence in School Food and Health) Team Grant, which will award up to $12.6 million over three years to support research that strengthens school food programs. The grant will support up to 14 research teams and is part of the build-up to the forthcoming National School Food Program. Applications are now open, with full proposals due by October 7, 2026.

Context

School food programs are increasingly recognized as vital tools for promoting children's health, fighting food insecurity, and bolstering educational outcomes across Canada. Yet, persistent gaps exist: according to the Breakfast Club of Canada, 1 in 3 Canadian children are at risk of going to school hungry. Investments in these programs have demonstrated high returns—every $1 invested into a school breakfast program yields nearly $2 in economic and social benefits.

Recognizing both the urgent need and the evidence gaps, the federal government is now actively supporting research that can inform the scaling and design of a permanent school food program. This is especially timely: starting in 2029-30, Canada has committed $216.6 million annually to institutionalize a National School Food Program, a massive boost for child health and equity. The FRESH Team Grant is a key step toward gathering the evidence and best practices needed to ensure this historic investment is effective and equitable.

Impact

This grant is a pivotal opportunity for:

• Academic researchers in public health, nutrition, education, and policy to secure substantive funding for large-scale, multi-year studies that cross traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries.
• Nonprofits and community-based organizations partnering with researchers to strengthen their evaluation and advocacy work, especially around program design and local impact.
• Indigenous-focused scholars and organizations: One of the FRESH funding streams is dedicated to research on school food programs for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students, schools, and communities, an acknowledgment of historic inequities and the need for culturally relevant approaches.
• Policy and program designers: Results from these research projects could directly influence how permanent funding is distributed in 2029 and beyond—not just in terms of program scale, but also regarding implementation models that promote equity and effectiveness.

For all these groups, the FRESH Team Grant represents a rare chance to shape the narrative and evidence base around one of Canada’s largest upcoming social programs.

Action

Interested teams should:

1. Review the eligibility and guidelines for the FRESH Team Grant (details available from the official program announcement).
2. Organize or join multi-disciplinary partnerships—these grants are large and cross-cutting. Build teams including educators, community groups, policy analysts, and especially Indigenous partners where relevant.
3. Choose your focus area: There are three funding pools: (1) Health and socioeconomic effects, (2) Policy/program design for equity, (3) Indigenous school food programs—make sure your proposal aligns with the intent of the chosen pool.
4. Register by June 25, 2026 and develop a rigorous, outcomes-driven research plan. Allow ample time for partnership-building and stakeholder engagement.

Given the long lead time, now is the moment to start conversations, collect preliminary data, and negotiate roles with partners. Even if October 2026 seems distant, the best-positioned proposals will be those that have developed strong methodologies and authentic collaborations early.

Outlook

As the 2029-30 school food program approaches permanent funding, this research will set the standard for policy, evaluation, and delivery. Watch for subsequent announcements from Health Canada or CIHR on additional supports, info sessions, and the evolution of research priorities based on early findings. Stay attuned to community reactions and provincial/territorial responses, which may shape the broader landscape for both funding and program delivery.

Granted AI helps researchers and nonprofits stay on top of timely funding opportunities and craft winning, evidence-based proposals.