Strategic Synergies in Agro-Food – A Holistic Journey Through Innovation, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship (SHIFT) is an Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), starting on 8 May, which offers an international and multidisciplinary training experience focused on the agri-food sector, combining online sessions with an in-person week at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
Launched in 2025, SHIFT is primarily aimed at Master’s and PhD students enrolled at Erasmus partner institutions. Following a first edition coordinated by Cristina Silva and Marta Coelho, the programme moves forward in 2026 with its second edition, now led by Marta Coelho and Teresa Brandão. The initiative is organised by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in consortium with the Università di Bologna, the University of Zagreb and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, while also welcoming students from the Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Hungary.
The programme awards 4 ECTS credits and brings together 25 participants from Algeria, Angola, Croatia, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal and Türkiye. It runs online from 4 May to 19 June 2026 and culminates in an immersive week in Porto from 13 to 17 July 2026.
SHIFT 2026 was designed to develop skills in innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship within an international academic environment, through a practical, interdisciplinary approach focused on the real challenges of the agri-food value chain. By combining scientific knowledge, creativity and the development of applied solutions, the initiative is particularly relevant for participants seeking to prepare themselves for the skill profiles most valued within today’s emerging professional ecosystems.One of the programme’s main attractions is its combination of networking, interdisciplinary learning and international experience. Participants work alongside colleagues from several European universities, engage with leading academics and industry professionals, and develop solutions to concrete sectoral challenges.
SHIFT also promotes a holistic perspective, integrating areas such as sustainability, green business, artificial intelligence and by-product valorisation. This integrated approach responds to the demands of an agri-food sector that is increasingly technological, competitive and driven by the sustainable transition.
The online component takes place through weekly synchronous sessions from 4 May to 19 June 2026, featuring thematic modules dedicated to food trends, innovation, agri-food valorisation, AI applications and food biotechnologies. Additional topics include sustainability, sustainable food distribution and the challenges of teamwork.
The in-person week in Porto, taking place from 13 to 17 July, adds practical workshops, company visits, project presentations and opportunities for cultural immersion. This final stage aims to connect academic knowledge with real-world practice, strengthening the relationship between academia, industry and innovation. The SHIFT 2026 curriculum is organised around six major themes: overview of the agri-food sector; sustainability and entrepreneurship; nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds; market trends; artificial intelligence applications; and agri-food valorisation processes.
In practical terms, participants will gain exposure to supply chains and agri-food sector dynamics, circular economy models and green business strategies, food processing technologies and AI applications, consumer behaviour analysis and emerging trends, as well as by-product recovery and process innovation.
The selection is limited to 25 places, reinforcing the intensive and personalised nature of the experience and making it a valuable opportunity for those wishing to strengthen their CV through international experience, transversal skills development and direct engagement with a sector that is strategic for the future of food and sustainability.