EIT Food has opened a call for experts in the agriculture sector to join its database of independent evaluators. This opportunity invites experienced professionals to contribute to the evaluation of innovative projects that aim to transform the global food system. Selected experts will help assess proposals submitted to EIT Food’s various funding and entrepreneurship programmes.
Deadline: 29 March 2026 (23:59 CET)
EIT Food is the world’s largest food innovation community and is supported by the European Union. Its mission is to create a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system by investing in innovation, entrepreneurship, education, and collaborative projects. Through open calls and competitive programmes, EIT Food funds initiatives that promote healthier diets, reduce environmental impact, and increase transparency across the food value chain.
To ensure the highest quality of funded activities, EIT Food relies on a network of independent evaluators with strong technical and professional expertise. These evaluators play a key role in assessing proposals and helping identify the most promising innovations and projects.
Role of Evaluators for EIT Food
Experts selected for the evaluator database will support EIT Food in reviewing proposals submitted to its calls for projects and programmes. Their responsibilities may include participating in online training sessions, reviewing full project proposals, and assessing the feasibility, financial structure, and innovation potential of applications.
Evaluators are also expected to provide qualitative assessments based on predefined evaluation criteria. They may be asked to prepare written evaluation reports, proofread documentation, and contribute to quality assurance. In addition, they will participate in panel meetings with other experts where funding recommendations are discussed and finalized.
Through this process, evaluators help determine which projects receive funding and support from EIT Food.
Areas of Expertise
The current call focuses on increasing the pool of experts in agriculture-related fields. Applicants should have substantial experience in at least one relevant area within the agrifood system.
Key areas include regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, soil health and carbon sequestration, biodiversity and ecosystem services, sustainable farming practices, and crop or livestock management. Expertise in sustainable inputs, nutrient management, pest and disease management, and water management systems is also highly valued.
EIT Food is also seeking professionals working in digital and data-driven agriculture, including artificial intelligence, remote sensing, GIS systems, and agricultural data management. Experts in aquaculture, diversified production systems, and farm systems design are also encouraged to apply.
Additional areas of interest include sustainable value chains, traceability, market access, regenerative finance, impact investment, and carbon accounting systems used in agriculture. Experience in policy development, sustainability certification, stakeholder engagement, or circular bioeconomy innovation may also be relevant.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must have strong professional expertise in at least one of the specified areas. In addition, applicants must demonstrate fluency in English, both written and spoken, as this is the working language for the evaluation process.
Applicants should have the ability to collaborate effectively with other evaluators and contribute constructively to panel discussions. Strong analytical skills and a critical but open approach to reviewing proposals are essential.
EIT Food also aims to maintain balanced and diverse evaluation panels. As part of this effort, the organization targets at least 40 percent representation of the under-represented gender in its evaluator groups.
Application Process
Individuals interested in joining the evaluator database must complete an online application form and upload their CV, providing detailed information about their professional experience and expertise.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and some applicants may be invited to participate in a mock evaluation as part of the selection process. Candidates will be assessed based on technical expertise, previous experience evaluating EU-funded projects, and familiarity with the EIT ecosystem.
Successful applicants will be notified by 30 April 2026 and added to the EIT Food evaluator database.
Compensation and Assignments
Being included in the evaluator database does not automatically guarantee assignments. However, when evaluators are selected to review proposals for a specific call, they will receive compensation for their work.
EIT Food pays evaluators €56.25 per hour, with an estimated 2–7 hours required to evaluate a single proposal. Evaluators are typically assigned more than one proposal, and the specific conditions and timelines for each assignment are communicated in advance.
All evaluation work must be completed according to the agreed timelines and quality standards set by EIT Food.
Contributing to Food System Innovation
By joining the evaluator database, experts gain the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the agrifood sector. Evaluators play a vital role in identifying high-impact projects that advance sustainability, innovation, and resilience within global food systems.
Professionals with deep knowledge of agriculture, food innovation, and sustainability are encouraged to apply and become part of this international network of experts.
Application can be accessed from here.
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