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Empower Your Agri-Food Innovations with the EIT Food Innovator Fellowship

The EIT Food Innovator Fellowship is a six-month program designed to cultivate "researchpreneurs" dedicated to tackling global food system challenges. Aligned with EIT Food's core missions—Healthier Lives Through Food, Net-Zero Food Systems, and a Fully Transparent, Resilient, and Fair Food System—the fellowship provides participants with entrepreneurial skills and an innovative mindset to transform the agri-food sector.

Program Overview

This fellowship aims to enhance the intellectual capital of research-intensive institutions and private R&I agri-food organizations. Participants will have the chance to turn their innovative ideas into actionable solutions, fostering regenerative, inclusive, and sustainable growth in food systems. The program is open to creative professionals and researchers worldwide seeking to advance their careers and make a significant impact.

Key Program Features

  • Healthier Lives Through Food: Empower consumers with access to healthier products and actionable information.
  • Net-Zero Food Systems: Aim to reduce CO₂ emissions, diversify protein sources, and minimize food waste.
  • Transparent, Resilient, and Fair Food Systems: Enhance trust, food security, and safety through digital innovations in the supply chain.

Participants will collaborate with academic and industry stakeholders to address challenges such as sustainability, climate change, poor nutrition, and consumer trust using a mission-driven approach.

Benefits of Participation

The Innovator Fellowship offers:

  • A structured six-month journey with approximately 10-12 days of training.
  • Personalized mentoring tailored to individual and team needs.
  • Advanced entrepreneurial training to transform laboratory ideas into viable business propositions.
  • Access to the EIT Food ecosystem for networking and professional growth.

Competencies Developed

Participants will enhance skills in:

  • Food Systems: Designing strategies for sustainable food ecosystems.
  • Entrepreneurship: Mobilizing resources to implement impactful business solutions.
  • Problem Solving: Utilizing co-creation methods to address strategic challenges.
  • Critical Thinking: Making ethical, data-driven decisions and exploring sustainable alternatives.
  • Leadership: Leading innovative initiatives in the food sector.
  • Communication: Engaging effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Program Structure and Timeline

The fellowship comprises seven steps, combining online and onsite activities:

  1. Community & Team Building (June 19-20, 2025): Establish connections and form teams to identify food system challenges.
  2. System Thinking & SDGs for Food Systems (June 27, 2025): Develop systemic approaches to address complex food system issues.
  3. Mentor Matching (July 4, 2025): Partner with expert mentors to refine ideas.
  4. Team Problem-Solution Activities (July-August 2025): Consolidate ideas and develop business propositions.
  5. Inno-Camp (September 2-6, 2025): An onsite event in Europe focusing on design thinking and business modeling.
  6. Business4Growth (October 2025): Entrepreneurial education delivered by industry experts.
  7. Final Pitch Event (November 21, 2025): Present developed business ideas to investors and experts.

Career Opportunities

The Innovator Fellowship equips participants to address global agri-food challenges, expand their career portfolios with in-demand skills, and develop sustainable, circular, and innovative business models. Engagement with the EIT Food ecosystem further enhances employability by offering opportunities to refine business ideas and broaden professional networks.

Participation Fee

Selected fellows are required to pay a €600 program commitment fee (including VAT) within 15 days of receiving the invitation.

Apply Now!

If you have a groundbreaking idea for the food system and are eager to drive sustainable solutions, the Innovator Fellowship is the opportunity for you. Prepare to transform your career and make a meaningful impact.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025.

Note: Applications created solely using AI tools without proofreading will be rejected.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply

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