Inspire and RIS Inspire Programmes
The Inspire and RIS Inspire Programmes aim to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators equipped to shape a new kind of innovative, resilient, and sustainable food system.
Inspire is driven by the three missions of EIT Food:
- healthier lives through food
- a net zero food system
- reducing risk for a fair and resilient food system
Nine schools are available for 2025:
- Restorative Aquaculture
Application deadline: 15th September 2025 - Digital Technologies in the Food System
Application deadline: 22nd October 2025 - Circular AgriFood
Application deadline: 31st July 2025
- SAFER (Student Entrepreneurship for an Agri-Food Ecosystem Recovery)
Application deadline:7th May 2025 - HealthySoil4Life
Application deadline:15th June 2025 - Sustainable Food Production and Consumption: New Deep Tech Approaches, Methods and Tools <
Application deadline: 31st August 2025 - Deep Tech and Regenerative Agriculture
Application deadline: 6th June 2025
In addition, as last year, right after the Inspire Courses ends, participants will have the opportunity to join the Inspire Impact competition, continue their learning, earn an additional certificate and compete for cash prizes. It is designed to be the final stage of your entrepreneurial journal under Inspire Programmes, focusing on its mission-led approach to address the pressing issues of our food systems. To enrol in the Inspire Impact course, candidates must have attended one of the Inspire Courses.Studies commence 30th Jun 2025.
The winning team of our group project will receive exclusive opportunities:
1st place:
- secure a seat on the Jury Panel for the prestigious Inspire.Explore.Compete EIT Food Championship, where you'll witness groundbreaking innovations firsthand
- claim the ultimate prize with a cash award of €4000, celebrating your hard work and innovative spirit.
2nd place:
- Garner recognition as a top contender, earning a cash prize of €2000 to fuel your future endeavors.
3rd place:
- stand tall on the podium with a cash prize of €1000, acknowledging your commitment to sustainable change.
Finally, EIT Food also offers the opportunity to be equipped with the essential knowledge needed to build your skills in innovation and entrepreneurship with a course that you can take at your own pace, completely online. In Explore, the four informative modules will guide you through the journey of developing a new business: from identifying the problem you want to solve to financing your start-up. This course is available all year round, until 31 December 2024.
If you still want to challenge yourself after finishing the Explore course, enter the opportunity to win a cash prize (up to EUR 2,000) during the Explore.Compete competition. This course is available from 1st October to 30th November 2024.
The target audience of the Inspire and RIS Inspire Programmes comprises students and young researchers, who benefit by receiving high-quality learning experience from academic members with innovative teaching methods, as well as practical training in collaboration with industry partners and established start-ups from the food sector.
You could obtain an internationally recognized certifications for you acquired competences (through our EIT Food Accredited courses and EIT Food Assessment certifications) to spend on your career.
You can register for RIS Inspire programmes only if you come from one of the RIS countries.