Future food and bakery scientists at Kansas State University will soon be eligible for financial assistance through a gift from industry partner IFF, offered through the Danisco Food Ingredients Scholarship.
The company has stepped forward to support undergraduate and graduate students beginning with the fall 2026 semester.
Established in 1889 and based in more than 65 countries across the world, IFF creates flavor, fragrance, food ingredients and bioscience solutions. The company maintains more than 40 strategic university partnerships to advance collaborative research and innovation.
“Partnerships like this reflect our vision to shape the future of food through strategic private-academia collaboration,” said Suzanne Pera, IFF vice president and regional general manager, North America. “By working closely with Kansas State University, we’re not only advancing research but also investing in the next generation of innovators who will transform the industry and redefine what’s possible in food and bakery science.”
Industry partnerships are at an all-time high in the K-State College of Agriculture’s Department of Grain Science and Industry as it enters an exciting new phase of growth, accentuated by construction of the university’s Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation. The new building, one of four to be added as part of the university’s Agricultural Innovation Initiative, will maximize K-State’s strengths in grain, animal and food sciences while supporting interdisciplinary research and innovation in food product development, food safety and food security.
“At K-State, we’re committed to becoming a globally recognized hub for collaborative research and education,” said Joseph Awika, grain science and industry department head. “Still, affordability remains a top priority for us, and we work hard to make a grain science and industry degree as accessible as possible to all who wish to solve critical challenges across the food value chain. I’m grateful for crucial industry partnerships such as this.”
K-State is currently the only university offering a four-year degree in bakery science and management. In a pilot-scale bakery and multiple testing laboratories, bakery science and management students develop innovative technologies and practices that uncover creative new business strategies. Students pursuing a food science and industry degree undergo preparation for careers in food research, manufacturing, merchandising, inspection and allied industries. Both programs produce graduates ready to supply safe, high quality and innovative foods to meet domestic and global demand.
As Kansas State University’s strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State.
Visit www.ksufoundation.org/impact/category/release for more information.