IgnitED Funding Supports Bold New Projects Advancing Eating Disorder Research and Translation

The AEDRTC is proud to announce the projects supported through this year’s IgnitED funding program; backing innovative, early-stage research ideas that respond to emerging challenges and unmet needs across the eating disorder sector. 

The 2025 IgnitED projects span the full continuum of care, from prevention and early intervention to treatment innovation and long-term recovery. The five recipients are united by a strong commitment to co-design, lived experience leadership, and real-world impact. 

Supporting perinatal women through early intervention 

One funded project focuses on the development of a co-produced, interactive e-learning module for perinatal women experiencing eating disorders. Eating disorders affect an estimated 5–7.5% of women during the peripartum period and are associated with health risks for both parent and infant. This project will deliver a free, accessible digital tool integrated within maternity services, supporting women to recognise risks, feel safe to disclose concerns, and seek early support during pregnancy and the postnatal period. 

Responding to risks associated with GLP-1 weight-loss medications 

Another IgnitED project responds to the rapidly increasing use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, alongside growing concerns from clinicians and people with lived experience regarding disordered eating and body image distress. This research will examine stakeholder and consumer experiences to inform the development of evidence-based, lived-experience-endorsed guidelines to support ethical and safe prescribing practices. 

Preparing patients for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy 

With psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy emerging globally as a potential treatment for anorexia nervosa, one project will co-design psychoeducation materials for people undergoing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. By translating complex and emotionally intensive treatment processes into accessible, multi-modal resources, this work aims to improve patient understanding, preparedness, and safety, while supporting future scalable and transdiagnostic applications. 

Learning from long-term recovery 

 IgnitED funding is also supporting a project that centres the voices of people who have sustained recovery from anorexia nervosa over the long term. While much research focuses on early treatment, this study listens to individuals who have remainedwell for five years or more, generating insights into what supports recovery over time and how individuals navigate ongoing challenges in everyday life.   

Strengthening connection through creative recovery approaches 

The final project introduces a dyadic art therapy program designed to strengthen emotional awareness and connection between people in eating disorder recovery and their carers/supports. By engaging pairs in shared creative processes, the program offers a non-verbal, relationship-focused approach to healing, with evaluation planned across both hospital and community settings. 

Together, these IgnitED projects reflect AEDRTC’s commitment to funding innovative, co-designed research that is grounded in lived experience and responsive to real-world needs. By supporting ideas at an early stage, IgnitED aims to accelerate meaningful change across eating disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery.