Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

This grant initiative aims to bring together a diverse and inclusive group of collaborators-including researchers, healthcare professionals, individuals living with cirrhosis, caregivers, donors, and policymakers-to engage in foundational planning activities for the development of a CIHR Team Grant application. The proposed research will focus on better understanding the behaviours and patterns related to the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among people living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cirrhosis, conditions that are increasing in prevalence and associated with significant health burdens. To ensure the project is grounded in the real-world experiences and needs of those most affected, we will form a national, transdisciplinary research team that includes patients, family members, donor partners, and experts from a variety of fields, including nutrition, hepatology, public health, and health policy. Together, this team will co-develop research questions, refine study objectives, and identify innovative approaches that will shape a compelling and competitive funding application. Also, to strengthening national partnerships, we will pursue international collaboration by engaging with researchers in Brazil-the birthplace of the NOVA Food Classification System. This globally recognized tool categorizes foods based on the extent and purpose of their processing and will be central to our proposed research. By incorporating the NOVA framework, we aim to improve how we educate and communicate with patients about food choices, ultimately empowering people living with MASLD and cirrhosis to better understand the role of UPFs in their health and to make informed dietary decisions. This planning grant represents a critical first step toward building a robust research program that integrates lived experience, scientific expertise, and international collaboration to address an urgent and complex health issue.