Alternative protein research grants
Powered by donations from a small number of generous donors, our Research Grant Program funds open-access alternative protein research. Read on to learn about funding opportunities and activities through our grant program and beyond.
The 2025 RFP is live
Submission deadline:
May 15 at 12pm ET
Catalytic research, powered by donors
Protecting our environment, feeding the world, and revitalizing economies require a healthy, sustainable, and just food system. A strong open-access research environment and talent pipeline are essential to fostering good food innovation.
As a nonprofit, GFI is uniquely positioned to empower high-quality research that will build the scientific foundation of the alternative protein industries. Our philanthropy-driven research program answers fundamental questions that can spin off entire industries, inspiring additional research and creating new opportunities to feed the world.
All of GFI’s work is made possible thanks to generous donors. Philanthropic support is vital to our mission. To discuss how you can be part of this transformative work with your gift or grant, please contact philanthropy@gfi.org.
About the Research Grant Program
Our program is dedicated to achieving three primary objectives: addressing technical bottlenecks, catalyzing further funding, and fostering collaborations to attract new talent to the field. To meet these goals, we annually release requests for proposals (RFPs) inviting open-access research focused on enhancing organoleptic properties, reducing costs, and scaling up alternative proteins.
In general, we are seeking to fund innovative projects that will specifically advance the science and technology of the plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat industries. “Meat” includes seafood such as fish and shellfish. Each RFP identifies priorities for research and can be submitted from any sector (academia, government, industry, nonprofits, etc.).
To date, we have funded research in over twenty different countries across five continents, and we will continue to focus on providing funding for the best research from around the world.
Our Research Grant Program RFP is live
We are excited to announce the release of our 2025 RFP for research projects in the field of alternative protein development.
- Total funding available: Up to $3.5MM
- Project duration: Up to 24 months
- Funding amount per project: Up to 250,000 USD with up to 50,000 USD additional funding for projects partnering with researchers and/or industry stakeholders not previously engaged in alternative protein research.
- Submission deadline: May 15th, 2025 at 12pm ET/9am PT
We are seeking proposals for two key topic areas
Priority A
Functionality from fermentation: ingredients for plant-based meats
Identify and characterize fermentation-derived ingredients that enhance alternative protein-based meat products to increase their adoption through improved taste, lowered cost, and nutritional benefits.
Priority B
Pathways to propel cell line development
Advance cell line development across terrestrial and aquatic species to bolster innovation and strengthen open-access research tools for the cultivated meat ecosystem. Pathways: crustacean, fish, and terrestrial.
Join one of our informational webinar sessions
For more information, including challenges, solutions, and related GFI resources for each of these topic areas, refer to our RFP.
Research Grant Program projects
Explore the Research Grant Program awarded project portfolio to meet the scientists and researchers breaking boundaries in alt protein research.
Resource
Research funding database
GFI’s research funding database provides curated grant opportunities for open-access alternative protein research.
Additional resources
The Grazer
Get our bi-monthly newsletter curated for the scientific research community to learn the latest on research, funding opportunities, and events.
Alternative Protein Researcher Directory
Explore the global landscape of researchers working to advance the science of plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and fermentation.
Solutions Database
Explore startup ideas, commercial opportunities, research projects, and investment priorities throughout the alternative protein supply chain.
The alternative protein ecosystem
Discover global hubs of alternative protein innovation with our interactive map.
Research grants tracker
Explore data on funded alternative protein research grants from around the world to discover insights using our dashboard or our database.
GFIdeas Community
Learn from and network with experts in alternative protein. GFIdeas is a community for entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and subject matter experts.
