Panels select and steer research projects

Each year the Panels work with CCFRA staff to generate, discuss and develop research ideas, following a standard timetable. The involvement of the Panels in this process is essential as it ensures that CCFRA carries out research and development that meets the needs of industry. The most promising ideas are developed into proposals. These are organised into the six strategic themes that form the basis of CCFRA’s Scientific and Technical Strategy, which was developed with the close involvement of industry to reflect its needs:

• Raw materials and ingredients
• Manufacturing and supply
• Product quality and innovation
• Food and the consumer
• Food and drink safety
• Knowledge management

Proposals are presented to members who are asked to vote for the proposals that they wish to see to funded. The most popular proposal(s) within each theme are funded and become projects within the Member Subscription Funded Research (MSFR) Programme.

Each company can nominate one voting member for each Panel on which it sits. Companies which do not sit on any Panels can also vote by nominating a voting contact. Proposals and voting papers are distributed to members in September and the results of voting are discussed and ratified by Scientific and Technical Committee in the Autumn. The selected projects start in January.

Panels discuss and receive presentations on projects of interest to them throughout the life of the project, and play an important part in shaping the direction and activities of the project – again helping to ensure that it meets the needs of industry.

Panel discussions also help us to shape our wider activities such as services, publications and training courses .