Applied Leadership Programs
Fellowship in Food Protection
The IFPTI Fellowship Program is a unique, year-long program for food protection professionals who want to make a positive impact on the profession through applied leadership, networking, and advocacy.
The Program takes a multifaceted approach incorporating three week-long sessions, periodic webinars, and a mentor-guided research project. The Program is guided by recognized leaders in food protection and focuses on the areas of Professional Skills, Program Management, and Applied Leadership. Special attention is given to the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) during the Fellowship, with a number of research projects focusing on elements or data related to implementation of the standards.
Who is eligible for the Program?
Anyone employed with a U.S. human or animal food/feed regulatory agency (local, state, federal, tribal or territorial) or a government laboratory (supporting regulatory food programs).
Applicants should have a minimum of four years experience with a food/feed regulatory agency or government laboratory.
Applications are welcome from regulators or laboratorians employed by non-U.S. human or animal food/feed regulatory agencies or government laboratories supporting food regulatory programs. The non-U.S. food regulator or laboratorian who desires to be considered for the Fellowship Program must complete the following interest survey to indicate the ability to pay full tuition payment and all travel expenses.
Program Requirements
Attend each week-long session and the AFDO Annual Educational Conference
Participate in all interactive webinars
Successfully pass a post-test at the end of each week-long session
Conduct an original evidence-based research project, including literature review, on a food protection issue or issue related to food protection through implementation of the MFRPS. This will culminate in a professional research article, presentation and research poster presented at the AFDO Annual Educational Conference.
How is the program unique?
Fellows are paired with a mentor, who provides Fellows with one-on-one advice and assistance related to the Fellows’ research projects and who helps them develop professional growth plans that can lead to long-term career growth and leadership enhancement.
A guided research project, presentation, and publication are completed by each Fellow over the year-long course. Fellowship Program original research project findings are published in a special edition of the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Journal and presented at the AFDO Annual Educational Conference.
Networking one-on-one with federal, state, and local food protection leaders.
The Fellowship Program is offered at no cost for selected U.S. participants. U.S. Fellows are reimbursed for all appropriate program expenses.
What does the Fellowship Program mean to fellows?
Fellows who complete the IFPTI Fellowship Program represent the next generation of leaders ready to meet new challenges in a climate of dynamic and continuous change. The following statistics offer some key insights into the program’s immediate and lasting value to the Fellows:
79% indicated receiving a promotion or being given more responsibilities within their regulatory agency, department, or division.
82% have delivered presentations at professional conferences or workshops.
80% have become more active in professional associations or work committees, with many assuming an increased leadership role.
97% indicated using the designation “IFPTI Fellow” on their professional bios or with regulatory colleagues or stakeholders.
What do Fellows have to say about the program?
“A year later, I am not only an alumni of the program with a wealth of knowledge in integrated food safety systems, but also an author of original research that has been published in the Association of Food and Drug Officials Journal and a new hire at a state department of agriculture.”
— IFPTI Fellow
“Participation in the IFPTI Fellowship Program gave me the opportunity to connect on both a personal and professional level with leaders in the food safety field from all around the country.”
— IFPTI Fellow
After completion of Cohort XI IFPTI will be suspending the Fellowship program for the upcoming year. During this time, we will be taking a comprehensive review of our program to focus on future directions and enhancements.