IFR in context

The Institute of Food Research's (www.ifr.ac.uk) vision is to be a world-leading contributor to harnessing food for health and controlling food-related disease.

IFR is a not-for-profit company with charitable status. It is sponsored by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council. IFR is the UK’s only integrated basic science provider focused on food.

Our scientific research collaboration stretches across the world through informal and formal partnerships. Outcomes feed into national and international strategies, delivering advice and solutions for UK Government, public sector bodies, regulatory authorities, industry and consumers

Making science work

IFR is required to exploit and apply the outputs of its research for the benefit of its stakeholders. We are developing our “innovation culture” alongside the existing science culture, addressing the Office of Science & Innovation (OSI) aim "to promote the transfer of knowledge to the wider economy to enhance economic growth".

We have defined a small number of activities that offer good potential for commercial development. Currently four of these Exploitation Platforms are being supported: Sustainability of the Food Chain; The Model Gut; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, National Collection of Yeast Cultures (NCYC).

The Food & Health Network is IFR’s industry forum. Members are able to keep abreast of the latest research.

IFR collaborates with other centres of excellence, both nationally and internationally, to maximise the output and benefit our from research and skills base.

IFR engages with its stakeholders, both in the UK and nationally, through a variety of media. In addition to our print and online publications, we contribute to events for particular stakeholder groups - from policy makers to consumers. We participate in national science communication events including National Science Week and the BA Festival of Science, as well as hosting open days for a variety of audiences.

Foundations for the future

Inspiring and training the next generation of researchers

Training and career development

The Institute provides a stimulating and supportive working environment, in which all staff, students and fellows are enabled to reach their potential. This ranges from excellent post-doctoral mentoring and PhD studentships through to personal development plans, ensuring appropriate career planning for all staff.

Many staff are Visiting or Honorary Professors or Lecturers at UK and overseas universities and others host Nuffield Bursary students, Leonardo students and other placements

Teacher Scientist Network

We actively support school science programmes, in particular through the Teacher-Scientist Network. About 20 staff and students are involved in these 1:1 linkages, supported by The Gatsby Foundation.
www.tsn.org.uk