RIS Inspire - Sustainable Food Production and Consumption

New Deep Tech approaches, Methods and Tools

The main learning objective of the programme is to provide participants with an insight into the most important challenges for increasing the sustainability of the food system and access to healthier diets with an approach to digital innovation. The taught contents will be applied in a project-based learning approach focused on different food system topics: Sustainability Agriculture, Alternative Proteins and Circular Food Systems.

By the end of the programme, students will have gained greater knowledge and awareness of the challenges related to the sustainability of food systems and will be able to develop concrete strategies and solutions to address them with an entrepreneurial spirit and the most effective deep technologies.

The course is open to bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral students and early career researchers interested in food and nutrition.

This course is open only for RIS Countries. Find more about the EIT RIS Countries here.

The programme is coordinated by the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna in collaboration with the University of Turin, Foodback.co, Grupo AN and Sabri Ülker Foundation.

Advantages :

The Summer School programme is structured with a student-centered vision and a project-based approach that will encourage you to use the tools provided by highly qualified experts to co-develop your own innovative and entrepreneurial idea for healthier living through food.

Teaching contents will be supported by academics from the University of Bologna, University of Turin, and highly qualified professionals on entrepreneurship in the food system. In addition, agribusiness experts related to sustainable food production and consumption will be invited to discuss and give important inputs to students.

Career Opportunities : This programme is for you!

This Summer School will provide participants with knowledge and awareness of the challenges of sustainability and healthy nutrition. In addition, the network that will be created through the teamwork approach will strengthen a smart ecosystem for young innovators with highly multidisciplinary backgrounds.

The programme will facilitate an open innovation ecosystem, allowing participants to operate in a broader spatial context and become skilled individuals in developing, managing and sharing innovative solutions focused on sustainable food systems.

Through this learning opportunity, entrepreneurship and innovation will be catalysed with a focus on the potential of start-ups and entrepreneurial talent, supporting young people to become active players in regional and national developments, especially in relation to the transition to sustainable food systems in RIS areas.

“Participating in the summer school was a great opportunity not only to broaden my knowledge in the field of the circular economy, but also to meet people from different backgrounds and different European countries. I highly recommend this experience to everyone!”

Enrico Toschi, from Italy, RIS Inspire - Sustainable Food Production and Consumption Alumnus 2022

What you'll learn : Taught by academics and food industry experts

Entrepreneurship

Create opportunities for systemic social and environmental value creation.
Devise strategies to mobilise and leverage resources to create sustainable value.
Design effective actions to scale societal impact.

Problem solving

Critically appraise the problem space to analyse the strategic implications of future choices.
Mobilise effective co-creation methodologies to generate original and sustainable solutions that include relevant voices.

Critical thinking

Critically analyse, interpret and report data and information to inform ethical decision making.
Challenge existing practices and knowledge to develop sustainable alternatives.

Leadership

Appraise different strategies to deliver a food system innovation.
Demonstrate leadership towards the implementation of a food system innovation.

Communication

Appraise different strategies to deliver a food system innovation.
Demonstrate leadership towards the implementation of a food system innovation.

Technology management

Mobilise appropriate technologies in innovation processes
Design effective actions to mitigate key unintended consequences of the use of emerging technologies.
Contribute to the development of new technologies for food system transformation.
Manage IPRs.

Data management

Implement effective data management protocols.
Recognise the importance of data security measures.
Identify key unintended consequences of the use of information technologies.

Food systems

Develop strategies to address current and future challenges using systems approaches.
Design innovative responses to address sustainability challenges in the food system.

Learn more about our competency framework

Structure & Modules : Three-week course

The three-week course will give you insight into sustainable food production and consumption with a focus on Deep Tech innovations. The course will be taught by academics and food industry experts in a blended synchronous and asynchronous (online and offline) approach, and it will enable you and your team to develop and co-design a creative and innovative idea to promote healthier and more sustainable lives through food.

In the first week (September 15, 2025 – September 19, 2025), you will be given an overview of the 3 main topics that will be covered by the programme: Sustainable Agriculture, Alternative Proteins and Circular Food Systems.

In the second week (September 22, 2025 – September 26, 2025), you will be presented with case studies where extensive research was conducted on the topics covered. The case studies will improve your understanding of the challenges to be faced and the opportunities to be seized. They also will be a useful tool for effectively planning your entrepreneurial projects.

In the third week (September 29, 2025 – October 03, 2025), you will have the opportunity to be inspired by a series of talks that will focus on innovation, creativity, business and the future. These “Inspirational talks” will be conducted by entrepreneurs and experts in the food sector.

Entrepreneurial learning will be transversal to all school modules.

You will work in interdisciplinary teams with the support of mentors during the 3 weeks.

The school ends with a final test. Successful participants will be granted a Certificate of Completion.

Take a look at the agenda!

Practical : What you need to know

Participation fee

Full course fee: 60.5

Application deadline

31st August 2025: 23:59:59 CET

VAT is included in the prices.

Please note, course fees will be waived for 10 individuals with care, responsibilities; persons on parental leave; and people living in rural areas. These will be given out on a first-come first-served basis. Get in touch with the team via to silvia.dilloo2@unibo.itto apply for an EIT-Food funded place, providing your contact details and reasoning.

Applications clearly made solely using AI text generation and un-proof read will not be accepted and rejected.

The school ends with a final test. Successful participants will be granted a Certificate of Completion.

However, right after the school ends participants will have the opportunity to join the Inspire Impact competition, continue their learning, earn an additional certificate and compete for cash prizes (up to €4000).

The Inspire Impact course is free of charge for candidates who have satisfactorily completed any Inspire School.

More information about this competition will be shared soon!