New grant received from Instrumentarium Science Foundation!

We are pleased to announce that doctoral researcher Arsene Kanyamibwa has been awarded a grant from the Instrumentarium Science Foundation for the project “Behavioural economic assessment of food reward.” The funding supports the continued exploration of how the brain’s reward mechanisms influence food choices in an environment abundant with highly palatable, processed foods. This year’s grant awards were celebrated at the Instrumentarium Science Foundation Grant Ceremony 2026, held on 11 February 2026 at Astoria Hall, Helsinki. The evening brought together researchers from diverse fields to recognize innovative scientific contributions advancing health and well-being in Finland and beyond. Building on previous findings, the project aims to deepen understanding of how combinations of fats and carbohydrates, as well as degrees of food processing, shape motivation to eat. By applying behavioral economic paradigms and reward-based evaluations, the study will contribute valuable insights into individual differences in eating behavior and obesity risk. We warmly congratulate Arsene on this significant recognition and look forward to the discoveries this project will bring in the coming year. For more information about the funded projects, see the full list of Instrumentarium Science Foundation 2026 grants here.