UC Davis and Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop “future food and health leaders”

The Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) at the University of California (UC) Davis, US, has joined forces with Denmark’s Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop international food and planetary health leaders. In a “first-of-its-kind” program, biotechnology-focused Ph.D. and postdoctoral students in Denmark and the US can apply their research to companies that accelerate positive societal impact. 

UC Investments, which invests on behalf of the University of California system, will also join the partnership, along with Danish research institutions. 

The students will participate in cross-border exchanges in research labs and innovation centers and be mentored by venture capitalist investors and business leaders. 

“This agreement acknowledges a commitment between the largest research institution and one of the largest foundations to tackle food and planetary health solutions through identifying top talent in biotechnology,” Dana Armstrong Hughes, IIFH talent development coordinator, tells Nutrition Insight. 

“This program will select top scientific talent to be trained through experiential learning programs, gain hands-on experience with use-inspired research, and nurture their entrepreneurial mindset. We expect these fellows to become the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders developing breakthrough solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges such that we can make the food we love healthier for all people and the planet.” 

She adds that the program will not narrowly define research areas to focus on but will provide space to explore “technology-driven solutions to nutrition, metabolic health, food science and formulation, food production and processing, and related challenges.” 

In 2026, the first group will begin their six-month rotation, consisting of three UC Davis students and three from Danish universities. 

Real-world impact

The partners believe that turning scientific discoveries into real-world solutions is key to addressing food and sustainability challenges. 

The program aims to share knowledge and inspire innovation between the biotechnology communities at UC Davis and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Specifically, it seeks to develop a pipeline of scientifically trained and entrepreneurially minded leaders in biotechnology, food, and health with international networks. 

The partners believe that turning scientific discoveries into real-world solutions is key to addressing food and sustainability challenges.“We ultimately hope to see a strong bridge of knowledge sharing and talent between UC Davis and leading Danish universities in the food and health space,” says Armstrong Hughes. “We anticipate meaningful research collaborations, patents, novel technologies, and start-ups to be co-created through this initiative.”

Additionally, the program aims to build a robust international network between the two ecosystems and contribute to the green transition by creating a sustainable global food system that supports the health and well-being of people and the planet. 

Building bridges

Armstrong Hughes says that true innovation and change comes through collaboration from otherwise siloed entities. “When academia teams up with the industry, finance, and related sectors, bridges are built that accelerate much-needed global change.” 

“In the same way, it is necessary to reach across geographic silos to build bridges of talent between leading biotechnology regions. The best way to accelerate solutions is to work collaboratively across both sectors and borders. We are working to see models of this program expand to additional innovation hotspots.” 

IIFH leverages food systems research at UC Davis into commercial ventures, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation is one of the wealthiest foundations worldwide. It owns Novo Holdings, the majority voting shareholder of the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. 

Danish institutions that are joining the collaboration include the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark’s Skylab, Novo Nordisk’s BioInnovation Institute (BII), and Denmark’s Centre for Sustainable Agrifood Systems, a research-driven collaboration platform aiming to foster knowledge-sharing across Danish universities. 

Armstrong Hughes says IIFH expects the program will result in meaningful research collaborations, patents, novel technologies, and start-ups.Expanding collaborations

The fellowship program extends IIFH’s Innovator Fellowship program, which bridges nutrition research and investment by enabling students to do a traineeship with venture capitalist firms. 

IIFH’s faculty director, Justin Siegel, highlights that global challenges in food and health can’t be tackled by any one organization alone.

“We are thrilled to partner with universities in Denmark, the UC Investments team, and BII to create a model that can grow to include even more international collaborators in the future.”

Armstrong Hughes says there is “perhaps no better place in the world to pursue planetary health solutions than the BII. UC Davis is already looking to deepen connections through another partnership with BII, which only strengthens the tie.”

Financial partner

According to UC Davis, UC Investments is vital in advancing research-driven solutions to global challenges. The entity manages over US$180 billion in assets and produces an average of four new inventions daily. 

“Challenges to the world’s food supply are growing, and thanks to technology and collaboration, so are solutions,” says UC chief investment officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher. 

“That’s why UC Investments is delighted to be part of this unique partnership with UC Davis, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and many Danish universities. We strongly believe the global return on this investment of research expertise, knowledge sharing, and capital will pay dividends for generations to come.”