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Today marks the opening of the submission period for the fourth edition of the Fundaci\u00f3n Occident Research Awards<\/strong>, Grupo Catalana Occidente, directed at young researchers working in research centres, universities and hospitals in Spain in the fields of nutrition and diet with an impact on health.<\/p>\n With a total endowment of \u20ac70,000<\/strong>, each year these awards recognise the careers and basic and clinical research projects of two scientists with outstanding contributions towards understanding the impact of diet on the prevention and management of pathologies such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.<\/p>\n The Fundaci\u00f3n Occident Research Awards are open to researchers of any nationality who have been working in Spain for more than three years and who have not yet reached the age of 46 by the closing date of this call. In this edition, as a novelty, candidates may exceed 46 years of age if they have temporarily interrupted their career as a result of the birth or adoption of children, and their care during the first months of life. In this manner, the Fundaci\u00f3n Occident reaffirms its commitment towards gender equality, facilitating work-life balance and ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals.<\/p>\n Researchers of any nationality working in Spain and who have not yet reached the age of 46 on the closing date of this call are eligible to apply. There are two categories, basic and clinical, with a total endowment of \u20ac70,000 annually.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n According to Federico Halpern<\/strong>, chairman of the Fundaci\u00f3n Occident: “Supporting research, especially young talent, is a priority for the Foundation. With these awards we want to emphasise the importance of diet and nutrition in our health, because their potential to prevent and treat diseases is not only growing stronger every day, but also includes more and more conditions<\/em>“.<\/p>\n The chair of the jury and director of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Mar\u00eda Blasco<\/strong>, declared: “When it comes to health, it is as important to treat as it is to prevent disease. We know that a healthy and balanced diet undoubtedly contributes to prevention, but we are also understanding its role in the management of pathologies. That is why these Awards are so necessary, because they not only encourage research, but also help to raise awareness about how important our diet is for our health<\/em>“.<\/p>\n