BFSA Launches Online Fellowship to Foster Food Safety Research

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has launched an online fellowship program aimed at encouraging young researchers to engage in food safety research and innovation.

On 8 September, Monday, Food Secretary Md. Masudul Hasan inaugurated the Fellowship Program 2025 by clicking on a laptop during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Food in the Secretariat.

He stated, “The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority is launching the Fellowship Program 2025 to encourage young researchers in food safety research and innovation. The program is being introduced in line with the BFSA Fellowship Policy 2024, approved by the Ministry of Food. This will expand opportunities for young researchers to contribute in this field.”

The Food Secretary further noted that research findings would be applied to ensure food safety and serve public interest.

Md. Masudul Hasan added, “For the first time, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority is introducing this initiative in the fiscal year 2025–26. This year, approximately 20 fellows will be selected under General Fellowship-1 category (MS or equivalent).”

According to the fellowship policy, 14 research areas have been identified, including food microbiology, food chemistry, food toxicology, food preservation and processing, food contamination control, risk management, emerging technologies, and waste management.

He also emphasized, “Through this fellowship program, opportunities will be created for research, innovation, and skilled manpower development in food safety, which will strengthen the national food safety system. This initiative of the BFSA is expected to play a supportive role in ensuring the nation’s food security.”

BFSA Chairman Zakaria said that, with the cooperation of a2i, the application process has been digitized through the MyGov platform, and applications will only be accepted online