The Good Food Institute (GFI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization powered by philanthropic donations, administers a Research Grant Program dedicated to advancing open-access research in the alternative protein sector. With over $24 million in support awarded to 129 projects across 25 countries since 2019, GFI’s program is designed to foster innovation in plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meats, including seafood. The overarching goal is to build a sustainable, healthy, and equitable food system through scientific discovery and industry-wide collaboration.

The 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) is now live with a submission deadline of May 15, 2025, at 12pm Eastern Time. The program will fund research projects up to 24 months in duration, with a maximum of $250,000 per project. An additional $50,000 may be awarded to projects that establish partnerships with researchers or industry stakeholders who have not previously engaged in alternative protein research. GFI’s grantmaking approach is designed to address core scientific and technological challenges in the field, catalyze further investment, and support global collaboration.

The 2025 RFP emphasizes two priority research areas. Priority A seeks projects that identify and characterize fermentation-derived ingredients to improve the functionality, taste, cost-effectiveness, and nutritional profile of plant-based meats. Priority B focuses on the development of new cell lines from terrestrial and aquatic species to strengthen the open-access research tools available for cultivated meat innovation. Projects must be open-access and may originate from academia, government agencies, industry, or nonprofit sectors.

To support applicants, GFI is hosting informational webinars for various global regions. These sessions include a Europe-focused webinar on April 2 at 4pm CET, a U.S.-focused webinar on April 3 at 11am ET, and an Asia-focused webinar on April 8 at 5pm IST. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the full RFP and FAQ documents for comprehensive guidance, including project expectations, evaluation criteria, and submission procedures.

While contact information for specific individuals is not provided, those interested in contributing philanthropically or with questions about the program are invited to reach out via email at philanthropy@gfi.org. The program is open to international applicants, and GFI has a proven track record of funding research across five continents. The RFP and additional resources can be accessed through GFI’s website.

The application process is competitive, and all proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with the identified priorities, scientific innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. The program is not recurring on a rolling basis but is expected to continue annually, with the next anticipated cycle in 2026. No specific award announcement date has been provided at this time.