2nd Edition Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme 2026

The 2nd Edition of the Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme 2026 is now live! This initiative, spearheaded by APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA) Student Chapter, with the support of Good Food Institute APAC, seeks to nurture the next generation of talent and drive growth in the cellular agriculture ecosystem across the APAC region. This is a structured, mentorship-based initiative aimed at supporting and upskilling students and early-career researchers interested in building a sustainable food system for Singapore. The programme combines technical mentorship, exposure to industry-relevant research questions, and opportunities for students to present and communicate their work to a broader scientific and professional audience. Students will work closely with academic and industry mentors over six months, culminating in a final poster presentation.

This year, seven mentors from the industry (Cell AgriTech, ScaleUp Bio, Meatiply, Umami Bioworks) and academics (Temasek Polytechnic, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Institute of Technology) have been selected. Through their guidance, students will have the unique opportunity to explore key challenges, propose innovative solutions, and make meaningful contributions to the field. 

Programme Overview: Each mentor will guide one mentee (Year 1–2 undergraduates or Year 2–3 diploma students) through a case study or applied research project, excluding literature reviews, to support mentees in their scientific discovery, problem-solving, and the preparation of a presentation with A1 poster judging in front of a panel of expert judges and audience in mid-October 2026. There is no limitation on the topic for the case study or applied research project, as long as it is related to the field of cellular agriculture.

Programme Structure:

• Programme registration closes on 6 March 2026, 23:59 SGT, with confirmation email shared with selected mentees on the 3rd week of March.

• 2nd April, Thursday evening: Physical kickoff briefing session where mentees will meet their mentor for the first time to discuss their interest and potential hypotheses or research questions mentees are keen to work on. Mentees should come prepared with questions and discussion pointers

• April to September: Mentorship attachment, including a minimum of:

  • Six non-consecutive days of on-site (Singapore) engagement

  • Four non-consecutive virtual meetups

  • Meeting minutes with photos to be shared by mentee with the organisers

• Mid-October: Presentation and judging session, where mentees present their research findings to an audience of experts. 

• Week of 3rd November: Winner(s) of the poster presentations will go on a curated learning journey with GFI APAC during Singapore International Agrifood Week and present their posters at one of the events, bringing the spotlight on their research. 

At the end of the programme, both mentors and mentees will receive certificates to recognise their efforts and acknowledge their participation in the presentation and judging session. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to explore the world of cellular agriculture. Register yourself now as a mentee! https://www.cellagstudent.com/cell-ag-talent-development-programme-2026

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APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) is Singapore's first student society dedicated to all things cellular agriculture. Join us to create an inclusive network that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of cellular agriculture, and bridges the gap between young talents and the burgeoning industry. If you are a student, academic or industry player interested in the field of cellular agriculture, join us to make a real impact today.