Congratulations to the awardees from our fourth round of seed funding! With collaboration from 30 researchers across 16 institutions, the seven successful projects collectively focus on improving food security, sustainability, health, wellbeing, and community resilience across Scotland and beyond.

The projects supported include:

  • Improving Access to Functional Nutrition Tools in Underserved Communities in Northeast Scotland led by Dr Monika Gostic (University of Aberdeen) with Dr Aravinda Meera Guntupalli (University of Aberdeen) and Preksha Shetty (University of Aberdeen) 
  • Seedlings for Food Sovereignty and Microbiome Health in North Edinburgh led by Dr Toby Pepperrell (University of Stirling) with Dr Charlotte Hall (University of Stirling), Dr Sarah Greenwood (University of Stirling), Ms Lisa Houston (Lauriston Agroecology Farm), Dr Tony Robertson (University of Glasgow), Prof Greg Singh (University of Stirling), Araceli Camargo (The Centric Lab), and Josh Artus (The Centric Lab) 
  • Pre-Feasibility Study: Scottish Organic Dried Pea Supply Chain led by Sarah Gowanlock (Soil Association Scotland) with Dr Andrew Moxey (Pareto Consulting) and Dr Angela Tregear (University of Edinburgh) 
  • TASTE Ukraine: Tradition, Adaptation, Sustainability, and Transitional Eating among Ukrainian Diaspora in Scotland led by Dr David McBey (The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen) with Ivan Kozachenko (University of Warsaw), Dr Ben McCormick (The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen), and Nataliya Bezborodova (University of Alberta) 
  • Discounting Sustainability: How Price Promotions Shape Environmental Outcomes in Food Systems led by Dr Surbhi Agarwal (The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen) with Dr Licida Guiliani (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Michael Clark (University of Oxford) 

  • A Green Prescription Garden at Cochno Farm in Partnership with Cottonrake Bakery to Enable Research and Innovation in Mental Health Provision and Food Security led by Prof Martin Llewellyn (University of Glasgow) with Dr Jill Muirie (Glasgow Centre for Population Health), Prof Sara MacDonald (University of Glasgow), Mr Stefan Spicknell (Cottonrake), and Ms Sue Black (Scottish Association for Mental Health) 

  • Food Mindfulness, Diversity and Sustainability: Wellbeing Workshop Development for Primary and Secondary School Students led by Dr Saeko Yazaki (University of Glasgow) with Dr Leyla de Amicis (University of Glasgow), Dr Ada Garcia (University of Glasgow), and Angela Curley (University of Glasgow) 

SCAF Director, Prof Emilie Combet, said

"We now have 26 projects led by members across stages, disciplines, and careers: a vibrant portfolio of research demonstrating what is feasible, de-risking future applications, and showcasing what a transdisciplinary mindset can achieve."

We extend our gratitude to the Scottish Funding Council for supporting SCAF members and these awards, and we look forward to hearing about the progress from the research teams.

You can learn more about the projects on our showcase website.

First published: 21 November 2025

<< Blog