In order to advance food systems in the new seasons of the climate crisis, CLIMAVORE x Jameel at RCA has launched the 2024 Food Action Awards. The call is open to international practitioners, collectives and researchers in the areas of architecture, visual arts, food studies, farming, environmental humanities or any other related discipline. The aim is to support infrastructural prototypes, field trials, landworkers solidarity networks, BIPOC farming initiatives, queer ecologies or microclimatic environments among other strategies towards building alternative diets that benefit human and nonhuman nourishing.
The first award, Research Action, is open to those with at least five years of practice. This award of 25,000 GBP includes all fees and production costs.
The second award, Emerging Practice, is open to recent RCA graduates (within the last six years). This award of 15,000 GBP includes all fees and production costs.
Scroll down to read participation and submission guidelines.
Applications should identify new seasons of the climate crisis and their manifestation in other geographies facing similar conditions along the broken food chain. Proposals should include research into legacies of extractivism and possible reparative futures to address how we eat as humans change the climate. Proposals are invited through an international open call and selected by an international jury. Awardees will be supported by mentorship and a stipend to develop their ongoing research into a site-specific project.
We encourage practices that include multiple backgrounds and perspectives, activate multiple channels for the distribution of research outcomes, and construct a network of collaborators and other institutional contacts. Confirmed collaboration with local partners or organisations on the ground is highly desirable. The start date should be summer 2024, with completion of 12 months from the date start.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal that addresses their current investigations, research and explorations. Proposals should clearly identify a CLIMAVORE season, its causes, and a proposed methodology contributing to the transformation of a local or global food system. The aims, and objectives as well as the socio-economic, nature-cultural and political context in which they are based should be clearly articulated. Outputs may vary among the proposals, but strong connection to soil and water systems is highly encouraged. This first edition of the CLIMAVORE x Jameel at RCA Food Action Awards is open to individuals and collectives from all ages and places of residence. Institutional or academic affiliation is not a requirement. We encourage practices that include multiple backgrounds and perspectives, activate multiple channels for the distribution of research outcomes, and construct a network of collaborators and other institutional contacts. Confirmed collaboration with local partners or organisations on the ground is highly desirable. The start date should be summer 2024, with completion of 12 months from the date start.
All applications will be reviewed based on their engagement with the CLIMAVORE themes and situated contemporary challenges, long-term commitment to a site and the depth of the project’s investigation. Proposals that demonstrate critical and forward thinking, specificity, situatedness and a distinctive research theme and methodology are preferred. Outcomes documenting the process on site can include a combination of public events, presentations, exhibitions, publications or films. Awardees will attend three group meetings (in person or via video calls) to be decided according to the project’s location.
Selection process
Deadline for applications is Sunday 21 April 23.59 (GMT)
Candidates invited to interview will be informed on Monday 13 May.
Interviews will take place via zoom on Friday 17 May.
Jury members include: Cooking Sections (Senior Research Fellows, RCA), Cléa Daridan (Senior Curator, Community Jameel), Christine Eyene (eye.on.art), Rahul Gudipudi (Senior Curator, CARA), Adrian Lahoud (Dean, RCA School of Architecture), Abby Rose (Farmerama Radio), Paulo Tavares (autônoma / FAU, Universidade de Brasília). Chair: Danielle Burrows (CLIMAVORE x Jameel at RCA).
The members of the jury will have access to all the applications. All applications will be reviewed based on their engagement with the fellowship theme, depth of investigation, originality, connection to CLIMAVORE x Jameel at RCA’s scope of work, and potential for exchange across disciplinary boundaries.
Submission requirements
Send your application to: awards@rca.ac.uk
Indicate which one of the two categories you are applying for in the email subject line.
Please send a single pdf (max 2Mb) using as the title your name and the research proposal, in the following format: APPLICANTNAME_PROJECTNAME.pdf
● 1-min video introducing yourself/yourselves.
● Project proposal including title, introduction of the site/s you are working on/with, research process and how it connects to CLIMAVORE themes, a proposed timeline and working methodology (750 words). A lead image is encouraged.
● Indicative budget for award usage. We understand that this may vary as the project evolves.
● Portfolio (max 10 images or videos with relevant URL links)
● CV (1 page with your everyday or greatest achievements)
● Contact information (full name, place of residence, email address, contact number)
Please note:
● All materials should be submitted as a single PDF including text, graphic materials and images.
● Links to videos and any required passwords should be included in the PDF.
● All applications and supplementary materials should be in English, but the project can happen in non-anglophone places. We understand that proficiency in English may vary. We also recognise that English may not be the applicants’ first or primary language. As such – even though proposals should be submitted in English – all proposals will be considered solely on the criteria specified above, regardless of English-language skills. We accept applications that have been written in other languages and translated into English using translation software. If so, please submit both the original language and English.
Further information and FAQ
If you have questions about the CLIMAVORE x Jameel at RCA Food Action Awards, please contact awards@rca.ac.uk before Wednesday 17th April. After this date, please see the frequently asked questions below.
Can collaborations and collectives apply to the open call?
Collaborations and collectives are more than welcome to apply to the open call. They should endeavour to clearly outline in the application, who is part of this collaboration and how ‘collective work’ or ‘collaboration’ is defined. It is expected to be dependent on the context and situatedness of the research and its research methodology.
How much flexibility is there in terms of where the projects will take place?
Projects can take place anywhere in the world. We are open to various formats of site-specific or remote research for the duration of the award according to the needs of the project. Applicants are expected to have a strong demonstrated connection to the site.
Are applicants expected to outline the format of their research outcomes (such as a publication, exhibition, etc) in the application?
Applicants are advised to focus on the framework of the research and its methodologies and are welcome to suggest possible research outcomes and formats.
Do research projects have to encompass architecture?
Project proposals do not have to depart from a single discipline, they can bridge multiple disciplines, or apply to a wider frame of references.
Are applicants expected to specify the costs of their project proposal?
No, awards are intended to create space and time for research.
How will successful projects be monitored?
Successful awards will engage regular online review meetings that can be conducted online or in person during the award period. Awardees are responsible for arranging their own travel, visa, and accommodation.
How are awards paid?
Awards are made via bank transfer with 80% paid at the start and 20% after a final report is submitted. Tax responsibilities for the award money are the responsibility of the awardee.