** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE GOAL OF THE F2OCUS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS AND MENTORS TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUTURE OF FOOD SYSTEMS AS IT RELATES TO ENHANCING THE SAFETY, QUALITY, AND SECURITY OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE SHARING, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ARE DIVIDED ACROSS THREE MODULES. MODULE 1 CENTERS ON NETWORKING AND COHORT ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING AN INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT. MODULE 2 IS WHERE THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING RESIDES AND INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: 1) DEVELOP TECHNICAL SKILLS IN RESEARCH RELATED TO FOOD SCIENCE; 2) CREATE A NOVEL FOOD PRODUCT WITH A TEAM OF F2OCUS FELLOWS; AND 3) ENGAGE IN EXTERNSHIPS WITH FOOD INDUSTRY AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PARTNERS. MODULE 3 WILL DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS BY 1) CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH CURRENT FOOD INDUSTRY LEADERS; 2) CULTIVATING PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS; AND 3) BUILDING COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS. WHILE THE FOUNDATION OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE THE FELLOWS' INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECTS, THE REEU FELLOWS WILL ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH OTHER F2OCUS PROGRAM FELLOWS TO DEVELOP A NOVEL FOOD PRODUCT WITH THE GUIDANCE OF A GRADUATE STUDENT MENTOR AND FOOD INDUSTRY MENTOR. THE REEU FELLOWS WILL PARTICIPATE IN TWO EXTERNSHIPS--ONE WITH A FOOD INDUSTRY MENTOR AND ONE WITH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PARTNERS. MOREOVER, THE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF THE REEU FELLOWS WILL BE CULTIVATED WEEKLY THROUGH DEDICATED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. THE F2OCUS PROGRAM WILL CULMINATE IN INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS AND TEAM PRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPED FOOD PRODUCTS.