Call For Proposals: Evaluating Common Slaughter Methods for Black Soldier Fly and Yellow Mealworm Larvae
Information
Over the last several years, industrialized insect farming has become increasingly common in Europe and the United States. However, little is known about the slaughter methods commonly used on these farms. In particular, standard operating procedures to guide producers on best practices slaughtering black soldier fly and yellow mealworm larvae, two commonly farmed insects, do not exist. This means that if insects have welfare, the methods being used on farms may not account for it appropriately.
Rethink Priorities is currently soliciting proposals to study and develop the most humane possible operating procedures for methods commonly used on industrialized insect farms. The goal is to understand the welfare implications of slaughter methods currently in use and mitigate them.
The standard operating procedures that are recommended through the project should be implementable by farms in an industrial setting, and should aim to minimize the potential welfare harms of the given method. Further, the project should make some effort to assess the product quality impacts of the methods recommended, in order to establish the feasibility of using these methods on farms.
Currently, we are accepting proposals to develop standard operating procedures for three common slaughter methods. Priority will be given to projects focused on boiling and blanching but proposals for any method by qualified teams will be considered. Strong backgrounds in insect welfare biology, thermal physiology, insects as food and feed, and/or engineering are expected for research teams to be successful.
- Convection baking
- Boiling and blanching
- Microwaving
Proposals may be submitted by an individual PI or, if appropriate, by collaborative teams; projects will be evaluated, in part, based on the expertise of the research team(s) and the likelihood that they can complete the objectives listed above.
Applications by individual PIs: To apply, submit a 2 page project description, a budget, and a budget justification. The project description should include a detailed methodology and anticipated project outcomes.
Collaborative projects submitted by a team of PIs: To apply, each PI should submit a 2 page project description (containing a detailed methodology and anticipated project outcomes), the budget required for their part of the project, and the budget justification for their part of the project. Both project descriptions should have the same title, list both the PI and the Co-PI’s name, and have the words ‘Collaborative Research:’ prior to the project title.
While collaborative projects will submit multiple project descriptions, these documents should be well coordinated so that it is clear how the two proposed plans will cohesively complete the CFP’s overall objective. Further, the lead PI should submit a one-page “Plan of Collaboration” that details how the PIs will successfully work together to complete the project, including a timeline of objectives for all parties, and the roles and responsibilities of each research team. Finally, the plan of collaboration must state the overall project budget across all research teams – but does not need to further describe or justify this amount.
Other information:
Rethink Priorities does not provide funding for indirect costs or institutional overhead. We will be evaluating proposals on a rolling basis starting November 15, 2024. Please submit all documents to: abraham@rethinkpriorities.org.
We are unable to fund research carried out in nations subject to sanctions by the United States or researchers who are residents of those nations.