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 grants program and beyond.
2024 RFP is live
Submission deadline is May 23rd at 4pm 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.
GFI’s Research Grant Program: RFP now live
We are excited to announce the release of our 2024 RFP for research projects in the field of alternative protein development.
- Total funding available: $3.4MM
- 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.
- Informational webinar: Watch the recording
- Join one of our upcoming mixers to meet collaborators:
April 30 at 11:30am ET | May 1 at 10pm ET - Submission deadline: May 23rd, 2024 at 4pm ET (1pm PT)
We are seeking proposals for three key topic areas
Priority A: Upcycled plant proteins
Improve the functionality of known food industry sidestreams using emerging processing methods/technology with a calculated sidestream volume, limited economic assessment, and end-product demonstration.
Priority B: Next-gen fermentation downstream processing
Sustainable and low-cost approaches for downstream food protein isolation from precision fermentation biomanufacturing.
Priority C: Hydrolysates for cultivated meat
Optimize raw material processing and characterization to enable lower-cost and higher-performing hydrolysate ingredients for cultivated meat media.
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
Research grants tracker
Explore data on funded alternative protein research grants from around the world to discover insights using our dashboard or our database.
Solutions Database
Explore startup ideas, commercial opportunities, research projects, and investment priorities throughout the alternative protein supply chain.
Alternative Protein Researcher Directory
Explore the global landscape of researchers working to advance the science of plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and fermentation.
GFIdeas Community
Learn from and network with experts in alternative protein. GFIdeas is a community for entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and subject matter experts.