When does the application open?
The application period for the 2025 Professional Development Program is closed.
For Scientists > For Students
For Students
Are you interested in pursuing a career in fresh produce food safety?
CPS can help.
Thank you to our 2025 Professional Development Program Sponsors!
$3,000 Level Sponsorship
Food Safety Strategy, LLC
SYSCO Corporation
Driscoll's Inc.
Ratto Bros., Inc.
Southeast Produce Council, Inc.
$2,000 Level Sponsorship
GLOBALG.A.P. North America
$1,000 Level Sponsorship
Bolthouse Fresh Foods
Scott Resources
Diversified Restaurant Systems, Inc.
Cultivating future science talent: CPS Professional Development Programs
CPS offers a Professional Development Program for Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and master’s students focused on produce food safety or related fields. Eligible applicants must be working with a current or past CPS-funded Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator. This program provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with the fresh produce safety community, gain industry insights, and develop essential career skills
Frequently asked questions:
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral researchers (who have completed their Ph.D. in the last three years), and master’s students specializing in produce food safety or related fields. Applicants must be working with a current or former CPS-funded Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator. Individuals currently employed in the produce industry or past recipients of this award are not eligible to apply.
What will recipients receive?
Recipients will engage with private and public sector scientists and executives through symposiums, one-on-one, and group meetings. They will also assist in coordinating the symposium and receive air travel and three nights' lodging to attend the 2025 CPS Research Symposium.
“CPS is not only guiding a new generation of researchers to answer our industry’s produce safety questions, the center is also grooming science talent to staff industry’s produce-safety teams – as well as to lead in regulatory and other related arenas.”
Jennifer Clarke
California Leafy Greens Research Board
CPS Technical Committee
