The Good Food Institute (GFI) is requesting proposals for its annual Research Grant Program, which will fund up to $3.5MM in open-access research for alternative proteins.
The organization invites proposals for projects that will take up to 24 months and cost up to $250,000, with additional funding available for collaborations involving new-to-the-field partners. Proposals should target one of two key priority areas:
- Priority A — Functionality from Fermentation: Ingredients for Plant-Based Meats. This involves identifying and characterizing fermentation-derived ingredients that can enhance meat alternatives, increasing their adoption through improved taste, lowered cost, and nutritional benefits.
- Priority B — Pathways to Propel Cell Line Development. Proposals in this area must relate to one of three pathways — Crustacean, Fish, and Terrestrial. Projects should work to advance cell line development across terrestrial and aquatic species to bolster innovation and strengthen open-access research tools for the cultivated meat ecosystem.
Empowering high-quality research
Three online informational sessions will be held for those interested in learning more about the research topics and submission process. Each will feature a pre-recorded webinar and a live question-and-answer session.
Since 2019, GFI’s Research Grant Program has awarded 129 grants and provided over $24 million in open-access research support across 25 countries. Last year’s program funded research into upcycled plant proteins, next-gen fermentation downstream processing, and hydrolysates for cultivated meat.
“As a nonprofit, GFI is uniquely positioned to empower high-quality research that will build the scientific foundation of the alternative protein industries,” says the organization. “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.”
The research proposal submission deadline is May 15, 2025, at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
