Request for Proposal – Nutrition Research

FY 2026

Objective

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is inviting investigators to submit proposals by December 1, 2025, for research related to investigating the potential human health benefits of watermelon consumption. The NWPB’s specific areas of nutrition research interests are outlined below.

PRIMARY NWPB Nutrition Research Areas of Interest

The NWPB is interested in investigating the potential human health benefits of consuming watermelon, including the flesh, rind or juice (edible portions). Animal or in vitro studies will not be considered. For the 2026 research funding cycle, NWPB is seeking multi-faceted trials that help further our understanding of the impact of watermelon consumption on cardiovascular health.

There is a strong foundation of published pilot and exploratory studies on watermelon and vascular health. NWPB is seeking proposals that take these investigations to the next level, including studies that follow larger size populations of individuals who are at risk for chronic diseases (eg., overweight/obese, prehypertension, prediabetes, etc.) for a longer time frame, with multiple endpoints that are directly or indirectly related to vascular health.

For additional insight, we are sharing the following examples of research topics that may further our understanding of the vascular effects of eating watermelon. Please note: This is not an exhaustive nor inclusive list, and NWPB welcomes and encourages novel ideas. Additionally, priority will be given to proposals that effectively address multiple topic areas described in this RFP.

Vascular Health and Blood Flow: Investigating the impact of watermelon consumption on various indices related to vascular health and “downstream impacts” on other health markers. NWPB is specifically interested in studies that investigate watermelon consumption and:

• Outcomes on endothelial function/activation (e.g., FMD, VCAM-1) and/or arterial stiffness (e.g., PWV). Blood flow/blood pressure changes and effects on inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., CRP, IL-6, TNF, MCP-1).
• Blood flow/blood pressure changes and effects on gut health and/or gut microbiota effectiveness (e.g., TMAO, SCFA, Endotoxemia Markers, Metabolomics).
• Bioavailability of nitric oxide and its relationship to vascular health, including blood/urine nitrate/nitrite levels, arginine/ADMA ratios, etc.
• Endothelial function and the impact on, or relationship to lipids and atherogenic risk factors (e.g., ApoB, LipoA, LDL and HDL particle size/density/number, HDL functionality).
• Associations or connections with antioxidants, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds found in watermelon and impacts on oxidative stress markers. (e.g., oxidized LDL, Glutathione, SOD, catalase).
• Dose-response activity of watermelon (as typically eaten) on vascular health.

Funding Details

• The NWPB will award up to $125,000 per project for studies focused on our primary topics of interest.

EMERGING NWPB Research Topics of Interest

In addition to the request for proposals as described above, NWPB is interested in projects exploring emerging research topics related to watermelon consumption. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to investigating watermelon consumption and:

• Cognitive Health and Function
• Mood
• Gut Health and Immunity
• Skin Health, Wrinkles and Hydration

Funding Details

• The NWPB will award up to $50,000 per project for studies focused on our emerging topics of interest.

Methodological Standards

Study design must adhere to current methodological standards, including but not limited to:

• Observational studies using an established prospective cohort or cross-sectional database (e.g., NHANES)
• Randomized Controlled Intervention Trials (RCTs) using parallel or cross-over designs
• Uncontrolled intervention studies, animal studies or in vitro studies will not be accepted

Please see the full RFP for complete details on proposal submission.

In this Nutrition Research Library, the following scientific research papers provide more details on the role that watermelon may play in promoting good health. Click on the category titles to view in-depth watermelon research.

🍉 = NWPB-funded Study