Industry collaboration

Partner with leading academic talent to drive innovation in the food system.

2026

The Global Food Venture Programme (GFVP) Industrial Scheme connects industry partners with top doctoral researchers and leading academic institutions across Europe to accelerate innovation in the global food system. Through a flexible engagement model, companies can collaborate with emerging research talent to explore new ideas, address technical challenges, and develop long-term research partnerships. Whether your organization is looking for rapid innovation insights, applied research support, or strategic R&D collaboration, GFVP provides a structured pathway to engage with world-class researchers and the wider EIT Food innovation ecosystem.

Our collaboration models

Innovation Sprint Challenge

Rapid exploration of real-world industry challenges
Duration: 2 to 4 weeks

Present a real-world challenge to interdisciplinary doctoral teams in an intensive innovation sprint.
The programme culminates in a pitch event where concepts are presented to industry experts and innovation leaders.
What you gain: multiple innovative solutions, fresh multidisciplinary perspectives, early insight into emerging technologies, and strong visibility in the EIT Food ecosystem.

Applied Research Internship

Research collaboration on a focused company challenge
Duration: 3 to 6 months

Host a doctoral researcher within your organisation for a focused innovation or R&D challenge.
The researcher can help generate insights, analyse data, develop concepts, or explore new technologies relevant to your business.
What you gain: dedicated research capacity, specialised academic expertise, practical solutions, and a direct opportunity to engage with future talent.

Strategic PhD Partnership

Long-term research collaboration aligned with your innovation priorities
Duration: 3 years

The PhD researcher works under joint academic and industry supervision and engages with entrepreneurial training.
What you gain: long-term research aligned with strategic priorities, access to academic expertise and infrastructure, innovation pathways, and early access to highly skilled future talent.

What EIT Food offers to partner companies

Access to top doctoral researchers from leading European universities.
A flexible collaboration pathway - from rapid challenge-based engagement to longer-term research partnerships.
Support in recruiting, matching, and coordinating candidates for the selected collaboration model.
Access to the wider EIT Food innovation ecosystem, including academic, startup, and industry networks.
Entrepreneurship and innovation training for doctoral researchers through the Global Food Venture Programme.
Visibility as a committed partner to innovation, sustainability, and European research excellence.

Why collaborate with GFVP?

Access top doctoral researchers from leading European universities.
Explore innovative solutions to real industry challenges.
Develop low-risk, cost-effective R&D collaborations.
Engage with the EIT Food innovation ecosystem.
Identify and develop future research and innovation talent.

Shape the future of the food system through collaboration. Join the Global Food Venture Programme and work with PhD talent to drive cutting-edge research and innovation in the global food system.

Interested in exploring a partnership? Get in touch to learn more about the collaboration model that best fits your needs. Fill your expression of interest here.

FOR Industries: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST!