Competitive Research Grant Program

Competitive Research Grant Program

Funder: The Good Food Institute (GFI)

Overview:
GFI's Competitive Research Grant program provides catalytic seed funding to accelerate alternative protein research and development (R&D) and unlock climate benefits. The program funds open-access research that is urgent and essential to exist in the public domain.

Focus Areas:

Plant-based meat: Development of whole-cut plant proteins, texture improvements, protein sheets, connective tissue engineering

Cultivated meat: Hybrid scaffolds, cell lines, differentiation media, 3D fiber scaffolds, nutrient sensing, scaleup methodologies

Fermentation-derived proteins: Development of fermentation technologies for alternative proteins

Alternative seafood: Cell line development, low-cost differentiation media, 3D printing whole-cut fish

Geographic Scope:
Global; recent awards spanning eight countries across four continents

Funding History:

Since 2019, GFI has funded over $13 million worth of open-access research

Inclusive of 70 discrete research projects

2021 round: nearly $5 million awarded to 22 research projects (13 cultivated meat, 2 fermentation, 7 plant-based)

Eligibility:

Academic institutions

Research organizations

Private research facilities

Researchers from various fields (approximately 20% of grantees have not previously worked on alt protein research)

What They Fund:

Open-access research with real-world applications

Projects addressing technological challenges in alternative protein development

Research producing publicly accessible results

Projects advancing sensory characteristics, nutritional profiles, and scaleup capabilities

What They Don't Fund:

Proprietary research (kept confidential or benefiting single companies)

Consumer or market research

Research not directly applicable to alternative meat, egg, and dairy end products

Key Objectives:

Generate whole cuts of meat and seafood

De-risk additional investment by demonstrating scientific community interest

Enable researchers to validate hypotheses and develop proofs of concept

Address key industry questions and build foundation of global alternative protein field

Accelerate pace of alt protein science

Contact/More Information:
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Background:
GFI fills a critical funding gap, as very little public sector funding has been dedicated to alternative protein R&D to date. The program aims to support the transition to a sustainable, just, and secure food system while addressing climate change imperatives.