Plant-Based Diet Initiative (PBDI) Spring 2024 Seed Funding

Twice a year PBDI solicits proposals for a round of seed grants. Applicants may request up to $25,000 in direct costs for a one-year pilot project centered around plant-based nutrition. 

PBDI champions the positive impact of plant-based diets on individuals and the environment. Our biannual seed grant program, open to all Stanford faculty, fellows, and students, funds innovative one-year projects exploring various plant-based nutrition topics. 

This is a great opportunity to fund a pilot study for future research. Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 and support interdisciplinary collaborations. The number of awarded projects per cycle depends on proposal quality, promise, and requested funding.

Research areas may include:

• Role of plant-based meat alternatives in reducing meat consumption
• Strategies for promoting behavioral change in adopting plant-based diets
• Identification of plant foods and micronutrients as alternatives to animal-based foods
• Investigation of health benefits of fiber, plant-based starch, and carbohydrates
• Translation of nutrition science into public policy

Funds can cover salaries, materials and supplies, patient care costs, incentives, recruitment, data storage, and domestic conference travel.

Applications are accepted biannually with spring and fall deadlines.

Spring 2024 Seed Grant Timeline*

Letter of Intent due (1-2 page description of your project):
Deadline extended to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024
Shortlist notification: 
Week of April 22, 2024
Interviews of shortlisted applicants (Zoom): 
Week of April 29, 2024
Full application due (3-5 pages, plus budget and justification): 
May 20, 2024
Award announcements: 
Week of June 3, 2024

*Final dates subject to change

Application

Please email a PDF of your Letter of Intent with the following naming convention:

[LastName]_PBDI_LoI_[YYYY]_[MM].pdf
(LastName is the last name of the first/primary investigator)

Email your Letter of Intent to: PBDI_LO.eqkd1z9yosxk6et2@u.box.com and cc stanfordpbdi@stanford.edu

Applicants are welcome to reach out to the PBDI with any questions.

Jennifer Robinson (jlmorris@stanford.edu)
Christopher Gardner (cgardner@stanford.edu)