Knowledge Hub on Food Systems Science
The FoSSNet project aims to establish and strengthen a solid and sustainable academic network focused on Food Systems Science (FSS) throughout Europe. The development of the network and advancement of Food Systems Science and education is based on an inclusive approach to ensure participation from all relevant disciplines, researchers and non-academic actors.
To expand the existing network, address shortcomings in its composition, and bridging identified research gaps in the context of FSS, additional experts will be involved via a topic-driven Knowledge Hub (KH). The objective of the KH is to provide complementary contributions and solutions to the scientific challenges within the FSS network developed under FoSSNet.
Call for experts
Topics of the Knowledge Hub
The topics of the KH were developed by the different labs of FoSSNet research questions and gaps:
- Riga Territorial Lab and the FoSSNet research task on inclusion: Leverage points for an inclusive food-oriented knowledge and innovation (K&I)
- Catalan Territorial Lab: Scalability of agroecological initiatives for Food System Transformation (FST).
- Polish Territorial Lab: Sustainable food systems in Central-Eastern Europe: exploring the role of intermediaries.
- Systemic Lab: Using pricing and rewarding guided by True Cost Accounting to manage hidden social and environmental sustainability impacts in the food system.
Find below a detailed description of the topics
Members of the Knowledge Hub
The knowledge Hub will be composed of 20 experts, divided into four working groups (5 experts per topic). The KH strives to maintain a good balance among the members regarding gender, work experience, geographical origin, and their different expertise to ensure the objectives of the KH can be achieved.
Membership
The membership lasts 15 months, divided into 12 months of commitment to one of the working groups and 3 months of reporting activities.
Composition
The composition of the Knowledge Hub should comprise early career and experienced researchers and professionals from EU and EU-associated countries.
Senior and mid-career researchers and professionals should have proven experience and expertise in the field of FSS and in the specific areas of the four working groups, as demonstrated by relevant publications and/or work experience.
Early Career Researchers (ECR) are researchers with 2-7 years of experience (full-time equivalent research experience) after receiving their highest academic degree (MSc, PhD or equivalent).
Mandatory requirements for participation
Researchers and professionals interested in applying to the Knowledge Hub must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Current country of residence in the European Union or associated countries.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience (full-time equivalent) after receiving the highest certificate (MSc, PhD, or equivalent).
Selection criteria
Researchers and professionals interested in applying to the Knowledge Hub will be selected based on the following eligibility criteria:
- Senior/medior researchers and professionals: expertise in FSS, relevant research projects, publications and/or work experience.
- ECR: Proof of relevant qualifications and work experience related to the topics of interest.
- Relevant ideas and suggestions for the activities within the working groups are of advantage.
- Relevance of the intended contribution and suggested activities to the topic.
- Experience working within inter- and transdisciplinary teams is of advantage.
- A good balance between the members and their different expertise within each working group, to ensure the objectives outlined in the respective topic can be achieved.
Working procedure and meetings
The KH will be active for a period of 15 months, divided to 12 months of research work lasting from February 2026 until January 2027, followed by a three-month reporting period.
The KH members will be assigned to one of the four thematic working groups based on their expertise, experience, and interest. Each working group will be chaired by a FoSSNet partner. The chairs will provide information on the topic and its background, explain the central research questions, and accompany the working groups throughout the process. Together with the working group members, a strategy including working steps, a timeline, responsibilities, the organisation of regular exchange meetings, and the process for reporting and publishing will be developed.
The members of the KH will meet at least four times (mandatory, see timetable below).
In addition, the chairs and/or members of the working group will organise regular online meetings to exchange about work progress and next steps.
Timeline
Contact
This Call is organised by the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (Call Secretariat):
Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)
Deichmanns Aue 29
53179 Bonn
Germany
Stefanie Schumacher, Stefanie.Schumacher@ble.de
Dr. José León Ninin, Jose.Leonninin@ble.de
Maximilian Grimm, Maximilian.Grimm@ble.de
Dr. Annika Fuchs, Annika.Fuchs@ble.de