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Autumn school 2025
Invitation: Call for applications to participate
βFuture challenges and solutions for sustainable food systemsβ
FutureFoodS together with the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana and the JoΕΎef Stefan Institute, invites applications to participate in the FutureFoodS Autumn School 2025.
This three-day immersive programme brings together 15 early-career professionals, researchers, and students to explore future challenges and innovative solutions for sustainable food systems. Participants will engage in expert talks, hands-on teamwork, and site visits, while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Ljubljana.
Who Can Apply
The Autumn School is open to early-career attendees (up to 5 years after their most recent degree) who are residents of a FutureFoodS member country and are active in food systems beyond the farm gate.
Eligible participants include:
Students and researchers (MSc, PhD, postdocs)
Industry professionals (R&D, innovation, consulting, engineering)
Policy and public sector representatives (local, national, international)
NGOs or civil society actors (advocacy, outreach, development)
Programme Highlights
Participants will take part in an inspiring and practice-oriented programme featuring:
Interactive Expert Talks
Covering topics such as protein diversification, food waste valorisation, consumer behaviour, and innovative product development.FutureFoodS Hackathon
A multi-day challenge where teams design solutions to real-world problems and pitch their ideas to a jury.Industry & Site Visits
Visits to a local plant-based food producer and a university micro-plant to experience sustainable practices first-hand.High-Level Round Table
A closing discussion with policymakers, industry experts, and academics on the transition towards sustainable food systems.
Programme Overview
Day 1 β Foundations & Problem Framing
Welcome session and keynotes on the transition to sustainable food systems, followed by team discussions.
Day 2 β Innovation & the Hackathon
Hackathon launch, mentoring, and a visit to the universityβs micro-plant. Group dinner in the evening.
Day 3 β Application & Synthesis
Visit to a local food company, final hackathon pitches, and a moderated round table on sustainable transitions.
Benefits of Participation
Selected participants will enjoy:
Free participation in the Autumn School
Covered expenses for travel, accommodation, and meals
Access to expert talks and mentoring
Hands-on innovation through the Hackathon
Networking with peers and professionals across Europe
The opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Ljubljana
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following via the online application form by 23 October 2025:
Short CV (max. 1 page)
Letter of reference (from academic supervisor or employer)
Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining:
Why you wish to attend
Your current work or research focus
What you hope to gain and contribute
How the Autumn School fits your academic/professional goals
π Apply here: https://1ka.arnes.si/FutureFoodsSchool
Key Dates
Application deadline: 23 October 2025
Notification of acceptance: 26 October 2025
Autumn School: 19β21 November 2025
(Travel days: 18 & 22 November 2025)
Donβt miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and innovate with peers from across Europe working towards the transformation of our food systems!
FUTUREFOODS - WORKSHOP
FutureFoods workshop on Research-based advice to policy makers in support of sustainable food systems transition
Webinar β Friday, May 23, 10:00 AM β 12:00 PM
In many countries and regions across Europe research contributes to policy making by providing research-based advice to policy makers/civil servants under different forms. This is especially challenging in supporting sustainable food systems transition because of the need for policy coherence across multiple policy areas and stakeholder interests.
Therefore, FutureFoodS partners will co-develop improved practices for provision of research-based advice to policy makers based on exchange of experiences among peers. Moreover, we aim to establish collaboration across EU in providing research-based advice to policy makers at national and sub-national levels. This may be based partly on the knowledge gained from the research and innovation in food systems under FutureFoodS, Food2030 and other programs.
We wish to engage civil servants β as users of science advice β and researchers providing research-based advice for their national/regional/local competent authorities across the member countries in the co-creation of new so-called Science Policy Interfaces.
We therefore invite you to the first in a series of workshop events, taking place as a webinar on Friday, May 23, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Why participate?
To exchange experiences and ideas among peers involved in producing, translating, requesting or receiving and using research-based advice in support of policy making in areas relevant to sustainable food systems transition.
To contribute to the improvement of science-policy interfaces in complex policy areas, to develop a Food System approach in policies (policy coherence)
To understand and discuss the challenges of implementation of a Food System approach in policies
To enhance European collaboration in improving and producing research-based advice for improved quality and efficiency.
Registration
If you are interested and available to attend, please register by May 12 using the following link: π https://forms.gle/spDNUyAoVuy9Roez8
We aim to ensure a balanced participation of researchers and civil servants/policymakers to make the discussion as fruitful as possible.
Thank you for your collaboration! We look forward to welcoming you on May 23!
Webinar for interested applicants
A webinar will be hosted on 21st of November 2024 from 11 am to 13 CET for all interested applicants. The webinar will provide an overview of all relevant aspects of the call and a short introduction to the submission platform. The webinar is open to everyone interested and no registration is required.
More information to the webinar:
The slides are available via this link. The Q&A session will be made available online later.
Kick-off meeting
On June 19 2024, more than 100 research and innovation experts convened in Dijon to help support the transition to sustainable food systems by sharing insights, initiatives and joining forces within this partnership.
The kick-off meeting was organised by The French National Research Agency (ANR) and German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Special thanks to John Bell of the European Commission, Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann from the United Nations, and all the panellists of the round table representing related initiatives (SCAR, CLEVERFOOD, AGROECOLOGY, WATER4All, ERA4Health) that also contribute to the FutureFoodS partnership.