Grant Program

APRE is inviting researchers to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) that supports the improved understanding of the health-promoting properties of potatoes. Topics of interest to address are summarized below, as are LOI requirements.

Priority Research Topics

APRE is dedicated to funding research in a credible and transparent manner to help expand knowledge about the nutritional properties of potatoes (not sweet potatoes or yams) in all forms — baked, boiled, chips, roasted, fried, fresh, and frozen — and the impact on health outcomes.

For the 2026 research funding cycle, APRE is seeking proposals for clinical trials related to the
consumption of potatoes in a variety of forms (including frozen French fries baked at home or at school and mashed from dehydrated potatoes) in healthy dietary patterns for the following priority topics:

• Health and diet quality in middle childhood (ages 5-11)
• Glycemic control among underrepresented populations
• Protein utilization, muscle maintenance, and body composition, particularly among
  vulnerable populations

For additional insight, we are sharing the following examples of research questions that support
these areas of interest. Please note: This is not an exhaustive nor inclusive list, and APRE
welcomes and encourages novel ideas.

• How does the inclusion of various forms of potato products affect diet quality among
  school-aged children – including overall vegetable intake – when consumed as part of a
  healthy dietary pattern?
• What is the impact of consuming potatoes and potato products, as part of a healthy
  dietary pattern, on glycemic control, among subgroups of the US population (e.g.,
  pregnant women and Black, Hispanic, and other historically underrepresented
  populations)?
• What is the relationship between a healthy dietary pattern including various forms of
  potato products and protein utilization and muscle maintenance, particularly among
  adults at-risk for sarcopenia and/or individuals using GLP-1 medications?
• What is the long-term impact of consuming a healthy dietary pattern including potatoes
  on body composition and protein status in adults?

APRE is also interested in proposals addressing the impact of preparation and cooking methods on nutrient quality (particularly protein) in various forms of potato products.

Join an informational webinar on February 24, 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. ET to learn more and ask questions to the APRE team. Register by sending an email to research@apre.org.

Submission Details

• LOIs are due by 11:59 pm CT on Monday, March 16.
• Please submit the LOI through Proposal Central.
• APRE will consider funding robust:
  • Multi-faceted clinical trials with a duration of at least 12 weeks and including at least 30 participants per group (or a power calculation indicating that the study is appropriately powered for the primary outcome), with a maximum budget of $350-500,000.
  • Analysis projects, with a maximum budget of $100-150,000.
• Project budgets should account for costs associated with securing open access rights to
  published manuscripts.
• Indirect costs of up to 10% of total direct costs will be permitted and should be included in
  the total proposed budget.
• The LOI should include a title, principal investigator, institution, brief introduction, study
  aims and hypotheses, experimental approach, relevant expertise, budget, and timeline.
• Principal investigators may submit multiple LOIs.
• Select applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be reviewed by
  recognized third-party content experts.
• APRE will hold all information provided by the researcher in confidence while your LOI is
  under consideration.
• Please send any questions to research@apre.org.