FUTURE FOOD FELLOWSHIP

To submit a proposal within the framework of the Future Food Initiative, the following eligibility criteria must be fulfilled:

1. Citizens of any nationality may apply; there are no restrictions concerning age.
2. Applicants must hold a doctorate or will complete their doctorate succeeding the interview date. Applicants with a completed doctorate must have obtained it a maximum of three years prior to the submission deadline.
3. Applicants must not have been affiliated with studies, research, employment, or other activities (with or without payment) at either ETH Zurich or EPFL during the 12 months that immediately precede the submission deadline.
4. Applications will not be forwarded for evaluation if applicants already hold or have held a faculty-equivalent position (e.g. assistant professor) in a higher education institution in Switzerland or abroad.
5. Applications and supporting documentation must be written in English.
6. The prospective research project must also comply with the applicable ethics regulations and adhere to the principles of research integrity valid at the host institution (ETH Zurich or EPFL). Relevant ethical, legal, and social considerations should be included in the proposal.

1. All proposals will be assessed by the Evaluation Board, which includes representatives of the universities and industrial partners. Additionally, external reviews may be solicited to appropriately evaluate the proposals.
2. The assessment procedure comprises two phases. Phase 1 consists of a preselection of applicants to be admitted to Phase 2 for assessment by the Evaluation Board. Applicants who do not qualify for Phase 2 are informed in writing.
3. In Phase 2 the applicants are invited for an interview where they present their research project and career plans and answer questions from the Evaluation Board. The host professor is expected to cover the travel expenses associated with the interview. In certain circumstances (e.g. long-distance travel or exceptional scheduling difficulties), the interview may be held as a video conference.
4. The Evaluation Board will make its funding recommendation to the Vice President of Research & Corporate Relations at ETH Zurich and the Vice President for Research at EPFL, who make the final funding decision consensually.
5. Notification of the decision will usually be given within three to four months of the submission deadline. Projects may start immediately after approval, and in general no later than six months after receiving the decision letter. Other Info The fellowship is financed through donations by the industrial partners of the Future Food Initiative, Nestlé, Bühler and Givaudan, with more enterprises to come on board in due course. The fellowship is co-managed by the World Food System Center at ETH Zurich and the Integrative Food Science and Nutrition Center at EPFL. The co-directors of the program, responsible for all scientific and operational aspects, are Professor Michael Siegrist (ETH Zurich) and Professor Francesco Stellacci (EPFL). They are supported by an Evaluation Board consisting of representatives of all the relevant stakeholders, as well as by a Managing Office. The funding recommendations of the Evaluation Board are submitted to the Vice President Research & Corporate Relations at ETH Zurich and the Vice President for Research at EPFL, who consensually make the final decision on which researchers will be awarded a fellowship. Duration of fellowship The fellowship is awarded in the form of a three-year research contract. At the end of the second year, a review is conducted to evaluate the project, its continued originality, and the productivity of the fellow. During the three years, fellows are encouraged to seek faculty or industry positions. Success in doing so will not necessarily result in termination of the fellowship – the decision will be made by the Decision Board on the recommendation of the Evaluation Board.