Call for Applications – Collaborative Doctoral Platform on Nutrition and Food Systems (FOODS)
Join the 3rd international cohort of FOODS!
TheFOODS (Food Systems and Nutrition) Collaborative Doctoral Platform, developed by the University of Montpellier (UM) and the University of Pretoria (UP), is seeking 3 to 4 UM doctoral students to join its third international cohort and participate in two field schools on the theme:
“How can the intersection of public policy and health improve the sustainability of food systems?”
Two interdisciplinary training sessions, each lasting approximately one week, will be held in 2027 and 2028 in France and abroad, in collaboration with partner universities. Travel and participation expenses for the selected doctoral students will be covered by the University of Montpellier.
What is the Nutrition and Food Systems (FOODS) Collaborative Doctoral Platform?
Developed by the University of Montpellier (UM) and led by Karen Lambert-Cordillac, University Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and researcher at the PhYMEDEXP laboratory, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa, the UM-UP collaborative doctoral training platform aims to create a global network of young scientists focused on the themes: Feed-Care-Protect to address the challenges of open science and open education in the field of nutrition and food systems. It is funded by the University of Montpellier with grants from the French National Research Agency Research ANR) under the France 2030 program.
What we offer:
- Funding for travel and training expenses.
- 2 field schools (1 in 2027 and 1 in 2028) in France and abroad.
- A scientific network with renowned partners (Wageningen, Pretoria, UC Davis, Laval University, USP, etc.).
- Participation in international conferences
- Contribution to joint outputs (publications, articles, etc.)
- Making a tangible impact by contributing to innovative solutions for global food challenges.
Prerequisites:
- B2/C1 level in English
- Ph.D. in a field related to the announced theme (nutrition/health/agroecology/public policy/transition policies, etc.)
- Commitment to participate in two field schools
- Written approval from the thesis advisor
Schedule:
Campaign launch: May 20, 2026
Application deadline: August 21, 2026
Notification of successful applicants: September 10, 2026
Dates and location of the first training session: Wageningen, Netherlands, April 2027