In a landmark collaboration bridging Danish research excellence with California’s world-leading innovation ecosystem, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the University of California, Davis have launched the California–Denmark Innovator Fellowship 2025.
This fully funded opportunity invites postdoctoral researchers from Danish universities to spend six transformative months in California, turning cutting-edge academic research into high-impact innovations in the fields of foodtech, biosolutions, and planetary health.
What’s This Fellowship About?
As a selected fellow, you’ll:
- Live in California for 6 months (Feb–June 2026)
- Work in cutting-edge labs like the renowned Siegel Lab
- Collaborate with experts at the Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH)
- Get mentored by venture capital investors from firms like The March Group
- Attend business seminars, innovation workshops, and startup networking events
- Learn how to commercialize your research — from due diligence to pitching a startup
You’ll also connect with American fellows visiting Denmark in early 2026, before joining them again at UC Davis in July 2026 for a final Innovation Colloquium.
What’s Covered?
Everything listed below is covered under this fellowship:
- Full salary while you’re in California
- Paid roundtrip flights, housing, and local expenses
- Visa support and relocation guidance
- Professional development and academic events in both Denmark and California
- Mentorship from research and VC leaders.
Who Should Apply?
This program is open to postdoctoral researchers at any Danish university, including international scholars based in Denmark. You’re eligible if you:
- Have completed your Ph.D. within the last 5 years
- Are actively researching in:
- Food science or technology
- Biotechnology or biosolutions
- Agricultural science or engineering
- Nutrition or metabolic health
- Environmental or planetary health
- Computational/data science applied to these fields.
No prior business or startup experience is required — but it’s a plus!
Apply: https://start.uni.dk/news-and-calendar/california-denmark-innovator-fellowship
Application Dates
- Application Deadline: May 18, 2025
- Travel to California: February–June 2026
- Final Showcase Event in Davis: July 2026.