START PhD Summer School: Biological Solutions for Sustainable Agrifood Systems - From Design to Consumer Acceptance

Join the START PhD Summer School and gain hands-on, interdisciplinary insight into the full biological solution also known as biosolutions - such as microorganisms, enzymes, and nature-based processes - value chain. 

The START PhD Summer School (16–21 August 2026 in Copenhagen) offers a unique opportunity to explore this in practice. Participants will work hands-on with the development of a biosolution across the full value chain, from design and production to regulation, commercialization, and consumer acceptance.

Topics such as the following will be covered: 

• Biosolutions in sustainable agrifood systems
• Interdisciplinary collaboration in agrifood research
• Design, production and processing phase of a new sustainable product
• New Genomic Technologies (NGT)
• Precision fermentation and downstream processing
• Regulation, commercialization and consumer acceptance

The summer school will include lectures from specialists across the entire value chain from both academia, organizations and industry, 1-day excursion to state-of-the-art and pilot test facilities, working in cross-disciplinary groups on a case and presentation of the case challenge.

The course includes: 

• Lectures by researchers, industry experts and organisations
• Interdisciplinary discussions
• Case-based group work
• Facility visits related to production, processing and consumer research
• A full-day excursion to Danish agrifood biosolution and pilot-test facilities
• Final group presentations with feedback from lecturers and experts 

Who should apply

The course is open to PhD students from Danish and international universities working within sustainable agrifood systems and related fields. It is particularly relevant for those who wish to understand how their research can be translated into practical solutions and explore future pathways within biosolutions.

The course gives 2.5 ECTS. Participants must apply for the ECTS credits themselves, but the course is designed to make the application process straightforward.

Practical information

• 📍 Copenhagen
• 📅 16–21 August 2026
• 💡 Free of charge (incl. accommodation and most meals)
• 📌 Application deadline: 24 June 2026

👉 Read more and apply here: START PhD Summer School 2026

If you have more questions regarding the summer school, please contact Annemarie Etzerodt, amet@food.au.dk