Two steps towards excellence: how will the winners be selected?
The selection process for the Lesaffre Research Grant in China is a two-step process.
First, researchers must submit a letter of intent by September 30, 2025.
An internal jury composed of scientific experts from Lesaffre will preselect the projects.
The selected candidates will then be invited to submit a detailed scientific dossier by November 30, 2025.
This second phase will be rigorously evaluated by an international jury composed of external scientific experts and Lesaffre experts.
The key criteria? Alignment with the objectives of the grant, scientific originality, innovation potential, and the excellence of the research team.
The final results will be announced in 2026.
Why is Lesaffre launching a research grant specifically in China today?
In recent years, Chinese university research has risen to a level of global excellence, particularly in microbiology and microbial genetic engineering. China is also rich in biodiversity. However, until now, Lesaffre has had little interaction with scientific research in this country, even though we have collaborations with other countries of scientific excellence. By creating this scholarship, we want to support this exceptional scientific momentum while helping to promote it through ambitious projects in line with our global sustainable innovation challenges.
What scientific challenges does Lesaffre hope to address through this initiative?
The projects we will support aim to develop innovative microbial solutions of interest to Lesaffre’s areas of application, particularly for the first edition, improving soil fertility and promoting carbon sequestration. Our objective is clear: to tackle concrete scientific challenges relating to food, sustainable agriculture and the preservation of natural resources.
What role does China play in Lesaffre’s global scientific strategy?
This program enables us to establish a high-level scientific collaboration network in China with public researchers engaged in cross-disciplinary work. It is a key step in strengthening our ties with local institutions, while connecting these researchers with Lesaffre’s international experts.
What message would you like to convey to the Chinese scientific community?
We want the scientific community to see Lesaffre not only as an industrial partner, but also as a committed scientific leader. This grant is an opportunity to co-create high-impact innovations with a shared vision: to sustainably nourish and protect the planet through living organisms.