Danone North America to begin accepting applications for its Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant

In a January 14, 2025, news release¹, Danone North America announced it was accepting applications for its Annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant. Among other qualifications, individuals applying for the grant must be an incoming or current graduate student with an interest in the gut microbiome, probiotics, yogurt and their effects on human health. The two recipients will receive $25,000 each to research this topic, and applications will be accepted until March 24, 2025.

The news release notes that gut microbiome health is connected with the brain, immune system, circadian clocks, and can be associated with risks for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Danone, a Certified B Corporation, has awarded this grant for the past 13 consecutive years, emphasizing the importance of the gut microbiome and wellness. “There is still so much to learn about the connection between our gut microbiome and chronic disease,” stated Miguel Freitas, PhD, vice president of nutrition and scientific affairs at Danone North America, in the news release. “University labs make important discoveries in this area, which is why we are so committed to supporting graduate student researchers. At Danone North America— an industry leader in the food and beverage category —we are particularly interested in this field, as we have dairy and plant-based products that are designed to help support gut health.”

Danone’s brands include Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STōK Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch.

On the grant application² site, Danone includes a list of the past recipients, from 2012 to 2023, and a summary of their projects. Research topics have included early-life microbiota protecting against obesity, influence on brain development, and other links between gut health and wellness. Last year’s two winners are researching the effect of timing and type of probiotic on metabolism and immunity, and how antibiotics can suppress the process of gut microbes promoting red blood cell production.

“Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible, and we are proud to be a leader in translating research into nutritious foods that can support the health of Americans,” Freitas added. “Notably, Danone North America successfully petitioned the FDA to release a qualified health claim that can appear on yogurt packaging stating that eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence.”

Additionally, Danone’s nonprofit foundation Danone Institute North America (DINA) is currently accepting grant proposals for its DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative (SFSI), and for the SFSI Focus on Food³. The grants, totaling $410,000, will fund projects that create community-based food systems supporting nutritional health of adult populations, and initiatives that promote food systems reflective of the interconnectivity and health of communities and the world⁴. Grant proposals are being accepted until February 14, 2025.

References

1. Danone North America. Danone North America Opens Applications for Annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant https://www.danonenorthamerica.com/newsroom/details/danone-north-america-opens-applications-for-annual-gut-microbiome,-yogurt-and-probiotics-fellowship-grant.html (accessed 2025-01-23).
2. Danone North America. Fellowship Grant. https://fellowship-application.danonenorthamerica.com/ (accessed 2025-01-23).
3. Danone North America. Danone Institute North America Now Accepting Grant Proposals for our Two Sustainable Food Systems Initiatives https://www.danonenorthamerica.com/newsroom/details/danone-institute-north-america-now-accepting-grant-proposals-for-our-two-sustainable-food-systems-initiatives.html (accessed 2025-01-23).
4. Danone Institute North America. Danone Institute North America announces two requests for proposals, the Sustainable Food Systems Initiative and the SFSI Focus on Food, which is co-funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) https://www.danoneinstitutena.org/ (accessed 2025-01-23).