Luke and Aarhus University launch strategic partnership to advance nordic food and agriculture innovation

A new collaboration sets the stage for breakthrough research on sustainable food systems, climate adaptation, and alternative proteins.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and Aarhus University (AU) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating research and innovation in food and agriculture across the Nordic region. The collaboration, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, brings together two leading institutions to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in sustainable food production, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management.

By combining their research strengths, technical capabilities, and networks, Luke and AU are positioned to lead breakthrough work in areas like alternative protein sources, sustainable food value chains, circular bioeconomy, and climate-resilient agriculture.

"This partnership is about more than formal collaboration—it reflects a shared commitment to solving real-world challenges," said Johanna Buchert, President and CEO of Luke. "Together, we can access new funding opportunities, share specialized research infrastructure, and create innovative solutions that benefit both institutions and the broader Nordic research community."

Eskild Holm Nielsen, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University, added: "AU has long been committed to advancing agricultural science and sustainability. This partnership with Luke opens exciting new avenues for joint research, student mobility, and knowledge exchange. We're particularly excited about the potential to develop cutting-edge solutions in emerging areas like agri-digitalization and novel protein production."

The partnership includes joint research and innovation activities, with a goal of developing at least two shared research proposals annually, targeting EU and Nordic funding. It also enables shared access to specialized research infrastructure and coordinated methodological development. Additionally, the institutions will facilitate researcher and student mobility, supporting early-career researchers and PhD students through exchanges that strengthen capacity building and foster long-term connections.

Beyond research, Luke and AU will strengthen knowledge exchange and policy impact by organizing policy dialogue forums, joint participation in international networks, and annual workshops and innovation events. Sustainability initiatives focusing on lifecycle assessments, greenhouse gas mitigation, and climate adaptation in agriculture are also central to the collaboration.

Building on years of informal cooperation, the partnership provides a structured framework for long-term collaboration. The MoU is set for an initial five-year term, with the first joint research proposals and collaborative events expected to launch in the coming months and throughout 2026.

• Johanna Buchert, President and CEO, The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), johanna.buchert@luke.fi
• Eskild Holm Nielsen, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University