Differences between Small- and Large-Scale Grants to Identify or Evaluate Food Environment and Policy Changes

As described in the Healthy Eating Research Round 3 call for proposals (CFP), differences between small and large grants relate more to the scope of work and the level and duration of funding than to the topics studied. Smaller-scale studies are likely to be more limited in scope, to include correlational rather than intervention studies, to rely on secondary data analyses or limited original data collection, and to be pilot studies. Larger-scale studies are likely to focus on a broader set of policy and environmental influences, involve more costly or complex secondary data analysis, or include significant original data collection. Both small- and large-scale projects may be conducted as supplements to existing studies.

The following chart provides general guidance only. Please refer to the Round 3 CFP for additional information. If you have questions, please contact the Healthy Eating Research program at healthyeating@umn.edu or (800) 578-8636.

Note: This chart applies to the Healthy Eating Research Round 3 CFP only. Investigators applying under the Special Solicitation Round 2 for New Connections junior investigator grants should refer to that CFP for information about available funding opportunities.

	Smaller-Scale Projects	Larger-Scale Projects
Funding Level	Up to $150,000	Up to $400,000
Duration of Funding	12-18 months	18-36 months
Data Collection & Analysis	Typically use existing data sets with secondary analysis, possibly as minor supplement to existing study but also could include small experimental pilot studies with original data	Original data collection and analysis, possibly as major supplement to existing study
Types of studies	Correlational, epidemiologic, measurement and observational studies; analyses of the effects of natural variation in food policies and environments	Planned studies or natural experiments of impact of policy and environmental changes including economic impact