Research projects

With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FEATURE project will support the transition towards more sustainable, circular and resilient livestock systems in Europe. It trains doctoral candidates to study alternative animal feeds, including forages, nutrient-rich food industry by-products and insects suited to different European climates. FEATURE explores how these feeds affect animal productivity, methane emissions, food quality, and environmental, social and economic impacts; it also prepares highly skilled researchers for careers in academia and industry. Advanced research, testing and data-analysis methods are used to better understand how animals digest these feeds and use nutrients. Working closely with academic and industry partners, the project supports evidence-based adoption of sustainable feeding practices for European livestock, helping deliver healthy, affordable and environmentally responsible animal-derived foods.

Partnership

Coordinated by the University of Reading (UK), the project brings together leading agricultural and food research institutions from across Europe, including KU Leuven, Teagasc, the Spanish National Research Council, the University of Pisa, the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, and the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. They are joined by eleven additional partner organisations from academia, research and industry.

As part of the network, the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia will host one of the 13 doctoral researchers and lead Work Package 4 (WP4) – Food Quality, focusing on the impact of alternative feeding strategies on the nutritional, technological and sensory quality of animal-derived food products.

Funding

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Grant Agreement No. 101226232), which support early-career researchers through international mobility and intersectoral experience.