BioNH (ERA-HDHL 2016)

BACKGROUND
A more complete understanding of the relationships between nutrition and health is central to deliver the vision of the JPI HDHL. However, the challenge of establishing these relationships is increased by the difficulties of accurately and objectively establishing dietary intake, nutritional status and the long-term trajectory from health to disease. As “characteristics that are objectively measured and evaluated as indicators of an exposure, biological process, or state of a biological system”, biomarkers can play a crucial role in addressing these difficulties and therefore in developing our understanding how health is related to nutrition. Numerous national and international authorities have presented general concepts for identification of biomarkers of disease. However, clear recommendations on biomarkers of nutrition and health are lacking. Reliable biomarkers or biomarker patterns will be crucial in monitoring key biological processes underlying the relationship between human nutrition and health, and will provide important tools for assessing status and efficacy of interventions. Biomarkers are, in turn, required in the process of substantiating Article 14 health claims through evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority.

AIM OF THE CALL
This call focuses on the identification and validation of biomarkers that are modulated by diet and that indicate a change in health status and/or the risk of developing diet-related diseases. Biomarkers of physical activity may be considered alongside diet.

WHO
In general, joint research proposals may be submitted by applicants working in universities (or other higher education institutions), non-university public research institutes, hospitals and other health care settings. Participation of private parties is encouraged as well as commercial companies, in particular small and medium-size enterprises. However, the eligibility of these organisations and institutions are subject to the national/regional regulations of the individual funding organisations and may therefore vary. Details of the national/regional eligibility criteria from individual funding organisations are provided in ANNEX 1 of the Guidelines for Applicants.