UC Davis USA California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship 2025 (Fully Funded)

Description

The California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship 2025 offers postdoctoral researchers from Denmark a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance their careers in the vibrant innovation ecosystem of California. This prestigious program, organized by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), focuses on transforming research discoveries into impactful innovations for sustainable food systems and planetary health.

Degree Level

UC Davis USA California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship 2025 (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at University of California Davis.

Fellowship Overview

Selected fellows will spend six months at UC Davis, one of the world’s leading universities in food, agricultural, and environmental sciences. They will immerse themselves in translational research and commercialization activities, learning directly from top researchers, entrepreneurs, and venture capital investors.

Application Deadline: May 18, 2025

Fellowship Period: February 2026 – June 2026

Program Highlights

1. Research Experience: Work in top-tier UC Davis labs such as the renowned Siegel Lab at the Genome Center.
2. Innovation Training: Collaborate with the Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) to learn commercialization strategies.
3. Venture Capital Exposure: Receive mentorship from firms like The March Group, specializing in foodtech and biosolutions.
4. Professional Development: Attend seminars, entrepreneurship academies, and conferences such as Future FoodTech and SynbioBeta.
5. Networking: Build strong ties with California’s food innovation ecosystem and fellow Danish researchers.

Application Procedure

Timeline for the California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship

1. January – February 2026:
2. Danish fellows connect with UC Davis fellows visiting Denmark, participate in local events, and build their professional network.
3. February 2026 – June 2026:
4. Danish fellows relocate to UC Davis to engage in technical research, commercialization activities, and innovation training.
5. June 2026:
6. UC Davis fellows return from Denmark and reconnect with Danish fellows at UC Davis for joint activities and networking.
7. July 2026:
8. Final Colloquium Event held in California, where all fellows present their research outcomes, startup ideas, and shared experiences.4

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare and submit:

1. Resume or CV (including publication record) – PDF
2. Letter of Interest (max 2 pages) outlining:
3. Current research and its potential impact
4. Motivation for applying
5. Career goals alignment
6. Relevant experience
7. Letter of Support from PhD advisor (1 page) approving participation
8. (Optional) Letter of Recommendation from a professional contact highlighting business or innovation skills

Note: Combine all documents into one PDF before submission.

Apply through:

START Denmark – California Fellowship Application Form

Why UC Davis?

1. Global Leadership: UC Davis is a global pioneer in food, health, and agricultural sciences.
2. Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art research labs and innovation centers.
3. Entrepreneurial Culture: Exposure to commercialization, venture funding, and business training.
4. California Lifestyle: Enjoy life in Northern California’s vibrant, innovative environment while advancing your academic and professional journey.

Key Partners

1. Siegel Lab: Host research lab specializing in computational enzyme engineering and startup innovation.
2. The March Group: Venture capital mentorship in sustainable food and biosolutions sectors.
3. Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH): Central hub for commercialization research and entrepreneurial training at UC Davis.