partner food policy councils
A food policy council partnership opportunity
Food policy councils and researchers working together
FICAS connects evidence, community priorities, and locally led action. We are seeking three food policy councils in the United States or Canada to partner in a pilot study.
Council-led
action
Community
priorities
priorities
Local
relationships
relationships
Relevant
evidence
evidence
Partnership at a glance
The essentials
with a focus on communities experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage
of active partnership, with research follow-up through month 24
in seed funding for council-selected action
Who should apply
Food policy councils ready for a sustained partnership
FICAS is seeking active food policy councils in the United States or Canada whose work addresses food-system conditions affecting children and families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
Your council does not need to focus exclusively on children. Broader food-system work is welcome when current or planned priorities meaningfully relate to children or families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
- Active participation across at least three sectors
- Identifiable council leadership and a primary contact
- Ability to convene members throughout the study
- Interest in community knowledge and relevant evidence
- Willingness to accept random assignment
- Support for voluntary participation by adult council members
What working together involves
Community priorities guide the work
Partner councils and the research team will map local food-system challenges and opportunities, explore possible responses, and work toward a council-selected food policy or systems action.
The partnership builds on Catalyzing Communities, a community-engaged approach to understanding local systems and planning action together.
Councils will identify a primary contact and coordinate member involvement. Each individual decides whether to join the research and completes an informed consent process before participating.
Partnership length and meetings
The active partnership lasts about 16 months, with research follow-up continuing through month 24 from the start of participation, not for an additional 24 months.
Up to 10 one-hour facilitated sessions are one part of the commitment. Lighter-touch meetings and check-ins follow those sessions. Councils will also spend time coordinating members and planning and carrying out their selected action.
Research activities
Activities vary by role and study condition. They may include four main surveys, eight shorter surveys about council relationships, and an optional 30- to 60-minute interview. The application guide will explain the activities in more detail.
Council seed funding
Up to $10,000 USD per council is available for council-selected action. A plan for using the funds will be requested as part of arranging their distribution. No seed-funding plan is required with the application.
Individual compensation
Individual research payments are separate from council seed funding. Eligible participants may receive $50 for each facilitated mapping session and $20 for each main survey. People invited to participate only in surveys may enter a drawing for $100; this is not a guaranteed payment. Optional interviews are not compensated.
How the study works
Three councils, three study conditions
All three councils are partners in FICAS. Each council will be assigned by chance to one of the following conditions and cannot choose its assignment. Together, we will learn which approaches are practical and useful for council-led work.
All councils are expected to begin orientation, planning, and initial research activities in January 2027. Facilitated sessions begin at different times depending on study assignment.
Delayed start
The council takes part in research during a waiting period, then begins Catalyzing Communities sessions.
Catalyzing Communities
The council begins facilitated sessions to understand local food-system challenges and plan council-selected action.
Catalyzing Communities with added activities
The council also takes part in activities to review evidence, compare possible actions, and strengthen shared learning through council relationships.
How to apply
How to apply
The application will ask about your council, community context, current priorities, leadership and member participation, and interest in the partnership.
- 1Review the detailed guide
- 2Apply through Pitt Qualtrics
- 3Join a follow-up conversation if invited
Planned application window: October 1–November 13, 2026
Proposed recruitment timeline
From interest to partnership
Dates and webinar time are tentative until confirmed.
- Applications openRequest for partnerships begins
- Information webinarSee webinar details below
- Applications dueSubmit through Pitt Qualtrics
- Council conversationsFollow-up interviews with selected applicants
- Councils notifiedPartnership decisions shared privately
- Partnerships beginOrientation, planning, and initial research activities
Information webinar
Learn about the opportunity and ask questions
The session will cover the partnership, study activities, eligibility, and application process. A recording will be posted for those unable to attend.
Thursday, October 15, 2026 (proposed)
3 p.m. Eastern / noon Pacific (tentative)
Webinar recording
Available after the webinar
Project team
Meet the project team
FICAS is led by Travis R. Moore, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh in partnership with Yuilyn Chang Chusan at Tufts University. The work builds on Catalyzing Communities and is supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development through award HD109456.