iFOODnet: Towards a Norway & Japan Innovative Research & Training Network Driving NextGeneration Food System.Final report

Summary

iFOODnet, coordinated by Nofima, aimed to establish world-class research and education within food science in Norway, focusing on marine and agricultural sectors, through a long-term international partnership with NTNU and two Japanese universities: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. The project centered on four key Cross-disciplinary Innovation Pillars (CIPs) related to bioprospection, innovative food processing, biomaterials, and food waste biorefinery, which provided the foundation for research, student mobility, and industry engagement. Over the course of the project, 93 students participated in annual Training Schools, and 12 students benefited from international mobility. The project also facilitated numerous industry visits, workshops, and symposia, strengthening the research-education-innovation interface. Despite challenges caused by the global pandemic, which led to delays and adjustments to the project plan, iFOODnet resulted in significant academic outputs, including publications, presentations, and successful grant applications. Future efforts will focus on extending partnerships through funded projects, expanding mobility, and enhancing global research impact.