Global Food Venture Programme

The Global Food Venture Programme (GFVP) is open to all current PhD students whose research aligns with food, agriculture, biotechnology, or sustainability.

Whether you already have a business idea or simply a passion for food, the GFVP is your launchpad into innovation. By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped with a strong network and a clear direction on the path to follow that aligns with your vision. Potential options include:

• Pursuing independent research, applying your knowledge to carve out a niche in shaping the future of food.
• Launching your own venture as a founder or co-founder, bringing bold and dynamic food solutions to life.
• Further entrepreneurial and innovation training, strengthening your skills and deepening your knowledge in research commercialisation.
• Joining a forward-thinking organisation - from startups and SMEs to leading corporates - where you can accelerate impact on a global scale.

What You’ll Gain as a GFVP PhD Student

• The opportunity to explore entrepreneurship in a low-risk, high-support environment
• Access to personal mentoring, expert coaching, and Europe’s top agrifood network.
• The expertise to become a pioneer in innovation, leadership, and commercialisation
• Hands-on experience through industry internships, workshops, and bootcamps, giving you exposure to real market needs and business models

You’ll connect with:

Leading food & agtech companies, founders, business coaches, technology experts, and a multi-skilled European PhD community.

PhDs receive a Diploma supplement by completing the requisites of the EIT Label.

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 system
  
  

• Pathways to Impact (P2I)
  6-week course developing your entrepreneurial mindset, communication, and value proposition skills
  
  

• From Impact to Realisation (I2R)
  Advanced programme with an immersive bootcamp in a European location covering IP, funding, business strategy, and leadership

> More info

Real-World Experience

• 3-6 Month Industry Internship
  Gain hands-on experience with leading food and biotech companies
  
  

• EU Skills Academies
  Participate in practical challenge-based activities aligned with entrepreneurial, digital and technical skills training and sustainability expertise

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.

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