The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a grant of up to DKK 97 million to the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and the World Food Programme (WFP) IGNITE Innovation Hub to establish the BioSustainability Design Novo Nordisk Foundation Fellowship Programme (BSD). The new initiative will support innovation capacity building through hands-on training of nearly 100 fellows, leading to the development and implementation of solutions that promote sustainable and resilient food systems in Denmark and East Africa.
Agri-food systems are under increasing pressure from climate change,
resource scarcity and a growing global population – but the specific
challenges differ substantially across regions. In Denmark, the agri-food
sector is highly advanced and productive but must further address
greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and mitigate environmental impacts. In
East Africa, the challenges are more structural, including food insecurity,
malnutrition, low productivity, fragmented value chains, limited access to
technology and markets and inadequate infrastructure.
To address these region-specific challenges and strengthen the
sustainability and resilience of the agri-food systems, there is a critical need
for innovation training programmes that combine practical experience with
entrepreneurship. Over a five-year period, the BSD will respond to this
need by training nearly 100 fellows in an intensive 10-month, full-time
fellowship, combining hands-on innovation training, mentorship and crossdisciplinary
collaboration in Denmark and East Africa.
The programme is built around two core focuses: A need-based innovation
methodology and an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. The
fellows will work in interdisciplinary teams to identify needs within core
themes such as reducing food waste and loss, strengthening plant-based
value chains and valorising side-streams. More specifically for East Africa,
the fellows will also focus on reducing food waste and loss, improving local
food production and processing, and addressing food safety and quality
challenges.
The BSD is expected to result in talented entrepreneurs and qualified
innovation projects, ranging from supply-chain improvements and
marketing solutions for plant-based products to AI-based forecasting tools
that can manage food waste, create new food processing and storage
technologies and support approaches towards more sustainable farming
practices.
A shared framework for sustainable innovation
Modelled on the Foundation’s successful Biomedical Design Novo Nordisk
Foundation Fellowship Programme – a Stanford Biodesign inspired
initiative – the BSD applies a structured, experiential learning model that
has proven successful in driving innovation and entrepreneurship within
the agri-food sector. As a part of the programme, the fellows will be hosted
by representatives across the agri-food value chain, allowing for
collaboration and interaction between fellows, industry experts, cluster
organisations and local partners across Denmark and East Africa.
In Denmark, the programme will be administered by DTI, leveraging its
expertise within food technology, research and strong industry
connections.
“The BSD is a game-changer for Denmark’s agri-food sector. At Danish
Technological Institute, we are proud to provide the facilities, expertise and
industry networks that enable fellows to turn bold ideas into real, scalable
solutions. This is about building the talent pipeline we need to lead the
green transition – and ensuring Denmark remains at the forefront of
sustainable food innovation,” says Juan Farré, CEO, Danish Technological
Institute.
In East Africa, the programme will be led by the WFP IGNITE Innovation
Hub, providing important expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship
training.
“This partnership strengthens WFP’s mission to drive sustainable
innovation in food systems across Eastern Africa. Through IGNITE, WFP
supports local enterprises that improve market access, crop storage and
adaptability to extreme weather. The Novo Nordisk Foundation
partnership will further train and resource local entrepreneurs to reduce
hunger and strengthen communities,” says Eric Perdison, WFP Regional
Director, Eastern and Southern Africa.
Together, the two programme chapters form a strong framework for
sustainable innovation and cross-regional knowledge exchange.
“By combining Denmark’s technological expertise with the entrepreneurial
capacity in East Africa, the BSD supports the development of solutions that
are both locally relevant and globally applicable. It strengthens innovation
across borders, and we are proud to support a programme that connects
networks across the value chain in a way like this,” says Mikkel Skovborg,
Vice President, Innovation at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
The Denmark chapter, led by DTI, will run from 2025 to 2030 with a budget
of DKK 73 million, while the East Africa chapter, led by the WFP IGNITE
Innovation Hub, will run from 2026 to 2029 with a budget of DKK 24
million.
About Danish Technology Institute
At Danish Technological Institute, we translate our specialised insights across technologies, industries, and value chains into concrete solutions and results-driven partnerships that accelerate the green transition. Since 1906, we have created new knowledge through research and development activities in collaboration with Danish and international companies and research institutions. Our vision is to create technology for a better future.
About The WFP IGNITE Innovation Hub
The WFP IGNITE Innovation Hub is a part of The United Nations World Food Programme located in Nairobi, Kenya. It supports Country Offices (COs) across the region to catalyse sustainable, scalable impact for food security. With a vision that food systems across Sub-Saharan Africa are climate-resilient, inclusive, and locally led, its work is organised across local private sector development, innovative finance, capacity strengthening and collective learning.
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.
