The Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, through Xjenza Malta and in collaboration with the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, has launched a call for proposals for the Obesity Research Programme.
This initiative aims to address the challenge of obesity in Malta by funding research that explores the impact of the food environment on obesity, a government statement said.
In particular, the programme will focus on three key areas: food labelling, food provision, and food promotion.
These areas have been identified as central points where scientific evidence can inform more effective policies to promote healthier food choices.
This year's call will provide grants of up to €100,000 per project and is open to academic, public, and private entities.
Three distinct projects are expected to be funded, one for each of the programme's target areas.
During a press conference, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that to tackle this challenge, an all-of-government approach is needed, and thus collaboration between government, researchers, and the private sector is crucial.
"Obesity affects a number of vital organs in the body and impacts individuals from childhood through to old age. We must therefore be innovative in how we address this issue," he said.
Abela said he looked forward to this research serving as a foundation for further studies and collaborations that will lead to positive results and help strengthen national strategies in favour of patient care.
Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti described the initiative as a clear example of how investment in research can provide tangible solutions.
"This programme is further proof of our commitment to invest in research as a practical tool to address national challenges such as obesity. By strengthening the scientific basis of public policy, we can build a healthier future for the generations to come," he said.
During the conference, Dr Jason Attard and Prof Charmaine Gauci from the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing presented the current data on obesity in Malta and emphasised the importance of developing evidence-based interventions.
The session continued with a presentation by Enya Maria Haber from Xjenza Malta, who gave a detailed explanation of the application rules and requirements, including the evaluation process and the implementation timeline.
Chairman of the Xjenza Malta Advisory Committee Dr Tonio Portughese said this programme represents an important step towards addressing Malta's obesity challenge.
"We are committed to supporting research that contributes to the development of effective public policies aimed at improving the health of our population," Portughese said.
To help stakeholders better understand the programme and application process, Xjenza Malta will host an online information session on 2 June 2025 at 10am.
Interested parties can register via this link: https://forms.gle/UTZGQBZMLY7euVNE7