On behalf of CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas we would like to congratulate the Natural Resource Institute on their award from the Expanding Excellence in England fund to put in place a Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (FaNSI)! As this initiative aims to expand research capacity through partnerships, NRI’s is well suited as one of its strengths is bringing together natural and social scientists to carry out excellent quality interdisciplinary research. The initiative’s added focus to addressing climate change, food loss and waste, sustainable agricultural intensification and food systems for nutrition is important and necessary. This award is well deserved, and we look forward to strengthening our strategic partnership with NRI through this new initiative. 

Graham Thiele, Director

CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich is delighted to announce that it has been granted an award from Research England’s ‘Expanding Excellence in England’ (E3) Fund to increase its research on food and nutrition security. Through a highly competitive process, the E3 fund aims to support the strategic expansion of excellent research units and departments in Higher Education Institutions across England.

Using this new investment, NRI will implement a Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (FaNSI) to expand its research capacity with a specific focus on addressing climate change, food loss and waste, sustainable agricultural intensification and food systems for nutrition.

Universities and Science Minister, Chris Skidmore, said: “Pushing the boundaries of knowledge and conquering new innovations are what our universities are known for the world over. This programme led by the University of Greenwich will consider how to improve food supply and nutrition in developing countries. The Expanding Excellence in England Fund will support projects throughout England to master new and developing areas of research and industry. Made possible through our record R&D spend delivered by our modern Industrial Strategy, the investment will support researchers to develop solutions and opportunities for UK researchers and businesses.”

Professor Andrew Westby, Director of NRI said, “This funding from Research England is transformational in terms of increasing NRI’s capacity to contribute to food and nutrition security, especially in Africa. Working with our partners, we look forward to undertaking high-quality research, with outcomes that improve people’s lives.”

Read more about award on the Natural Resources Institute website