COMMUNITY RESEARCHERS FOR FOOD JUSTICE
Advancing food justice through community-driven research
Applications are now open for Year 2 of the Community Researchers for Food Justice Granting Program!
Applications are due Sunday, September 20 at 11:59 PM. Letters of Support may be submitted through Sunday, October 4 at 11:59 PM.
Want to see community-driven research in action? Meet our first cohort of Community Researchers from Year 1!
About the program
Community Researchers for Food Justice is a community granting program of the Community Incubator Network (KIN), a collaborative initiative led by the YMCA of San Diego County, UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and UC San Diego Center for Community Health, and the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative.
The program provides community leaders and groups across San Diego County with funding and support to design and lead research projects rooted in lived experience and community priorities that advance food justice.
who can apply
Individuals and groups based in San Diego County that are leading food justice work and directly serving local communities are encouraged to apply. Nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship is not required.
We welcome applicants of all research experience levels. You don’t need to be a trained researcher—you just need curiosity, commitment, and a vision for change.
See the full RFA for complete eligibility requirements.
What to expect
In this 12-month program, grantees can expect:
- • Flexible funding up to $35,000 depending on project size and scope
- • A shared cohort experience with other Community Researchers to promote collaboration, relationships, and knowledge sharing
- • Access to mentorship, research skill-building, and tailored support from the KIN team
- • Learning sessions on topics including research methods, organizational operations, partnership development, storytelling, and personal well-being
We hope this experience is just the beginning. Beyond funding individual projects, KIN is committed to growing a network of Community Researchers who learn from one another, build partnerships, and advance community-led solutions beyond the grant period.
QUICK LINKS
Request for Applications
Three tier levels
Application Deadline, Funding Notification, Program Duration
Materials needed
Technical Assistance, Resources, Templates
Request for applications
Applications are due Sunday, September 20 at 11:59 PM. Letters of Support may be submitted through Sunday, October 4 at 11:59 PM.
View the full Request for Applications (RFA) for complete program details, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.
Funding Structure
Up to $175,000 will be awarded to support up to 10 community-driven research projects through three flexible funding tiers:
-
Seedling Grant up to $10,000
Ideal for projects that are in early stages or exploring new ideas with a smaller scope
-
Momentum Fund up to $20,000
Ideal for projects that are building on existing work and ready to scale up, requiring more funds.
-
Root & Reach Fund up to $35,000
Ideal for projects that are fully developed and aiming for broader impact, requiring significant funding.
Applicants may be considered for a different funding tier than the one they initially select. We encourage applicants to indicate all funding tiers they would be willing to accept if they can adjust the scope of their project accordingly.
Support for Applicants
We offer several resources to help you prepare your application:
Grant Information Session
August 24 | 5:00–6:30 PM – REGISTER HERE
Budget 101 Webinar – Coming Soon
Recordings of both webinars will be posted on this page following the sessions.
Applicant Support Sessions
Offered 2–3 times per week throughout the application period – REGISTER HERE
Resources and Templates (in RFA):
- Letter of Support Template
- Budget Example and Template
- How to Develop a Research Question
- Example Research Project
- Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the program or application process? Email the KIN Team at kincommunitygrants@ymcasd.org.
ABOUT Community Incubator network (KIN )
The Community Incubator Network (KIN) is a collaborative initiative led by the YMCA of San Diego County, UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and UC San Diego Center for Community Health, and the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative. Funded by the American Heart Association’s Health Equity Research Network (HERN) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, KIN seeks to reimagine and transform traditional research paradigms—shifting how resources, knowledge, and power flow between communities, academia, and institutions.
Learn more about the KIN Project.
Follow @kinproject_sd on Instagram to stay connected with KIN and see updates from our Community Researchers.
