Global Food Venture Programme
Empowering the Next Generation of Agrifood & Biotech Innovators
The Global Food Venture Programme (GFVP) is EIT Food’s flagship entrepreneurship programme for PhD students. As part of the EU Skills Academies, we’re on a mission to turn top scientific talent into tomorrow’s changemakers by equipping them with the entrepreneurial skills, industry experience, and innovation mindset needed to transform our global food system.
Co-funded by the European Union, GFVP offers a unique learning journey blending education, mentoring, and hands-on collaboration with industry and academia across Europe.
Our goal: To unite diverse expertise in tackling the world’s most urgent food system challenges - from reducing food waste to achieving sustainable nutrition for a projected global population of 10 billion people by 2050.
For PhD Students: Grow Your Potential, Scale Your Impact
GFVP is open to all current PhD students whose research aligns with food, agriculture, biotechnology and sustainability.
Whether you have a clear business idea or just a passion for creating impact, this programme is your launchpad into innovation.
What You’ll Gain as a GFVP PhD Student
The opportunity to explore entrepreneurship in a low-risk, high-support environment
PhDs receive a Diploma supplement by completing the requisites of the EITLabel
Build confidence and skills in innovation, leadership, and commercialisation
Hands-on experience through industry internships and bootcamps, giving you exposure to real market needs and business models
Access to personal mentoring, expert coaching, and Europe’s top agrifood network
You’ll connect with:
Leading food & agtech companies, founders, business coaches, technology experts, and a multi-skilled European PhD community.
Programme Structure
GFVP combines online learning with in-person bootcamps, workshops, industry placements, and tailored mentorship. It follows a 2-3 year journey based on the EIT Food Education Competency Framework, building your skills step-by-step:
Core Learning Modules
Introduction to Food Systems (SPOC)
8-week online course covering the science, technology, and social dynamics of the food systemPathways to Impact (P2I)
6-week course developing your entrepreneurial mindset, communication, and value proposition skillsFrom Impact to Realisation (I2R)
Advanced programme with an immersive bootcamp in a European location covering IP, funding, business strategy, and leadership
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Real-World Experience
3-6 Month Industry Internship
Gain hands-on experience with leading food and biotech companiesEU Skills Academies
Participate in practical challenge-based activities aligned with entrepreneurial, digital and technical skills training and sustainability expertise
Choose Your Research Path
To be an eligible GFVP PhD student, you must be enrolled at a European University that offers doctoral programmes with the requisites of the EIT label
You can then choose to:
Pursue your own funded PhD research aligned with one of EIT Food’s Missions
or
Opt for an industry-led doctoral model, where you work on research topics posed by our corporate partners — in areas like AI in biotech, regulatory science, food systems sustainability, and more.
These co-supervised pathways ensure your work has both academic depth and real-world application.
GFVP PhD graduates can also enrol in further training with access to additional EIT Food programmes and initiatives that support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Join Us
Since 2017, over 280 PhD students have completed the GFVP - unlocking their potential and driving impact across Europe’s $200 billion agrifood innovation space.
Now it's your turn.
Collaborate with Us
For Industry: Shape the Future of Agrifood Innovation
EIT Food invites forward-thinking companies to collaborate with the GFVP as Associated Partners, gaining access to:
Cutting-edge PhD research by hosting internships and challenge-led projects that address critical industry needs.
Powerful strategic connections with universities, startups, and public stakeholders across the EIT Food ecosystem - working together to shape policy and set higher industry standards.
Multi-skilled teams and resources to transform groundbreaking research into innovative products and services across the entire food value chain.
The EU Skills Alliances, delivering world-class technical and entrepreneurial training programmes and impact initiatives.
Recognition as a leader in sustainability, innovation, and scientific excellence.
A top-tier talent pool, enabling recruitment of Europe’s brightest minds in biotech and agrifood research.
For Universities: Elevate Your PhD Students
University partners play a key role in co-developing research challenges, mentoring doctoral candidates, and enhancing career outcomes for their students. GFVP is centrally managed by EIT Food, offering your institution:
A structured, high-impact programme focused on research commercialisation, aligned with EU priorities
A way to increase the societal and commercial relevance of your doctoral research
Integration into a powerful European innovation network
Please note that eligible Universities must offer doctoral programmes with the requisites of the EIT Label.
Partners
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