GENEVA, N.Y. — The New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech (CoE), in collaboration with the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park (Tech Farm), is pleased to offer Food Spark, a scholarship program available to qualified candidates to participate in the virtual eCornell Food Product Development Certificate program.
The 10-week online certificate is designed and led by leading food science experts at the Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC), based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva. Over five interactive courses, students will be guided through the process of bringing a new food or beverage product to market. Course participants will learn how to create a prototype and evaluate the feasibility of a new food or beverage product, identify hazards and control measures needed to create a safe food or beverage product, determine appropriate processing and packaging systems, learn about applicable regulations and develop a framework to bring a product from prototype to market.
Funding for this opportunity is made available through the support of the NYS Certified Business Incubator Program to encourage innovation within the food product development sector in New York state. This scholarship program extends the Tech Farm’s mission, offering opportunities for growth statewide.
The certificate is offered through eCornell, Cornell University’s external education unit. The prestigious Food Product Development Certificate consists of five online courses, each spanning two weeks, for a total of 10 weeks.
“The Food Spark scholarship will allow for even more food and beverage entrepreneurs to benefit from the world-class knowledge we have here at Cornell AgriTech,” said CoE Executive Director Cathy Young. “Our goal is to ignite innovation and cultivate the next generation of food and beverage businesses that will keep New York growing.”
The scholarship covers the entire certificate cost of $3,699, excluding a $200 one-time registration fee for awardees. A cohort of up to 30 students will be chosen for the initial class, which is set to begin in early March.
The submission deadline for all applications is Feb. 15, 2023.
To be considered for the Food Spark scholarship, applicants must complete an online application, agree to become a free member of the CoE/Tech Farm, and explain in their application how completing the certificate program would create an impact within New York’s food, beverage or agriculture industries.
Applications will be judged on several criteria, including an applicant’s status as an early stage
entrepreneur, desire to start or grow a food or beverage business, demonstrated financial need, demonstrated project feasibility within the food or beverage sector and eligibility to operate within New York.
To apply for the Food Spark scholarship, visit https://bit.ly/3iBZBpS.
A virtual information session hosted by the CoE will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 4 p.m. To attend the information session, visit https://bit.ly/3GYT9Sb
About the CoE:
The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech works to grow the food, beverage and agriculture industries in New York by connecting agrifood businesses and entrepreneurs with what they need to succeed. Funded by New York state, the CoE provides mentorship, access to world-class Cornell research and experts and other resources to foster the growth of new companies, new products, and existing businesses. The CoE is part of Cornell AgriTech, a globally recognized research, innovation, and development hub that is essential to the continued success of the food and agriculture industries in New York and beyond through scientific discovery and practical solutions that help growers and businesses thrive.
For more information, please visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
–Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture
Cornell AgriTech
