Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University Expand Opportunities to Advance Nutrition Science and Innovation
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (OCTOBER 17, 2025) – Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in nutritional health and wellness, and the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, through its Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, are proud to expand their shared work aimed at advancing innovation in nutrition and health science.
Since 2023, Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute have collaborated on a yearly joint Innovation Challenge, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to drive innovation and improve health outcomes. Building on that success, this evolution will introduce new workshops designed to continue helping foster groundbreaking solutions in the field, along with the third edition of the Innovation Challenge.
Virtual Mentorship Workshops
The Virtual Mentorship Workshops will provide a unique opportunity for nutrition and health science programs, organizations, and academics to attend sessions guided by experts at Nestlé Health Science, the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, industry mentors and winners of previous Innovation Challenges. These workshops will focus on two key areas:
- Translating Science into Market Opportunity: This workshop will help teams frame their scientific insights within real-world consumer and health contexts, identify emerging opportunity areas, and learn from successful science-to-market journeys.
- Navigating Clinical & Regulatory Pathways: Participants will prepare for real-world validation and adoption by understanding clinical evidence expectations, designing with consumer acceptability in mind, and navigating regulatory pathways.
Read full details on these workshops and information on attending online here:
https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/innovate-forward-challenge
Third Annual Innovation Challenge – Women’s Health Intersecting with Healthy Aging
The third edition of the Innovation Challenge calls on startups to join an open competition focused on unlocking
innovative approaches, spanning clinical care, nutrition, digital health, and lifestyle interventions, that
improve quality of life, resilience, and long-term health outcomes for women in midlife and beyond.
Women spend one-third of their lives post-menopause, yet research and development for this phase is historically
underfunded. Together, Nestlé Health Science and the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute seek to collaborate
with startups to accelerate work emphasizing innovation around women’s healthy aging.
Selected winners will receive world-class support and resources from both Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University, including:
- Collaboration with Nestlé Health Science experts to help address key issues identified by the winner.
- Mentorship, scientific support and access to key resources that can help move their business forward.
- A one-year virtual residency with the Friedman School’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Council with unlimited access to the council’s network for valuable feedback and support.
To learn more about the Innovation Challenge, including details on how to apply, contest
rules and testimonials from previous winners, visit
https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/innovate-forward-challenge.
“We’re proud to deepen our strategic work with the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute to advance innovation in nutrition and health science,” said Eugenia Oton, Head of Nestlé Product Technology Center for Nestlé Health Science. “Collaborating with leading academic institutions and emerging startups allows us to accelerate the development of transformative solutions that support healthier lives.”
“The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute is really excited to embark on our third Innovate Forward Challenge with Nestlé Health Science,” said Katie Stebbins, Executive Director of the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute. “This year’s focus on perimenopause and menopause highlights a critical stage of women’s health that has long been underserved. Discovering new startups alongside our faculty and the Nestlé Health Science team is a powerful way to spark inspiration and innovation in this space.”
Open to businesses worldwide. Applicants must be legally registered entities in their respective countries. Subject to eligibility restrictions, including U.S. and international sanctions. Applications must be submitted by February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Visit https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/innovate-forward/ for official rules. Void where prohibited.
About Nestlé Health Science
Nestlé Health Science, a leader in the science of nutrition, is a globally managed business unit of Nestlé. We are committed to redefining the management of health, offering an extensive portfolio of science-based consumer health, medical nutrition, pharmaceutical therapies, and vitamin and supplement brands. Our extensive research network provides the foundation for products that empower healthier lives through nutrition. Headquartered in Switzerland, we have more than 12,000 employees around the world, with products available in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.com.
Media Contact
Nestlé Health Science U.S. Media
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