Science
Cultivated meat, plant-based products, and fermentation offer exciting research opportunities with tremendous positive impacts for the climate and global health.
As a nonprofit, GFI is dedicated to advancing foundational, open-access research in alternative proteins and creating a thriving research and training ecosystem around these game-changing fields.
Laying the scientific foundation
Our work provides a rigorous foundation for advancing the fundamental scientific breakthroughs that enable alternative proteins to succeed. We analyze the industry to identify key knowledge gaps, allocate grant funding toward the highest-impact research projects, and cultivate an engaged community of scientists to forge collaborations and bolster the technical talent pipeline. We are charting a roadmap to overcome pre-competitive technical challenges through open-access research and accelerate the rate of progress across the alternative protein industry.
Analyzing knowledge gaps and white space opportunities
Identifying crucial knowledge gaps and articulating technological solutions requires a deep understanding of the science in alternative proteins and across parallel fields. Rigorous industry analyses such as life cycle assessments and technoeconomic analyses also provide critical insights for identifying the most impactful levers for improving the taste, texture, price, and sustainability of alternative protein products.
Through a combination of in-house analysis and collaborative partnerships, we are charting a roadmap for addressing technological shortcomings through open-access research and technology development.
Allocating funding toward high-impact research
In an emerging field like alternative proteins, research funding has an outsized catalytic effect, serving to generate preliminary data that stimulates follow-on investment from conventional funding mechanisms. Our Research Grant Program can rapidly deploy funding for mission-critical projects while supporting our researchers to ensure swift commercial translation of their work.
In parallel, our team of experts also serves in an advisory capacity to strategically guide grant-making decisions by other research funders and to support investigators in crafting high-impact proposals.
Building global scientific communities and cultivating talent
Most scientists and engineers working in alternative protein research are relatively new to the field, applying their skills from a wide array of fields to this decidedly interdisciplinary endeavor.
Through our seminar series, researcher communities, collaborative workshops, and on-campus student groups, we build bridges and foster connections throughout the global scientific community. These activities also build a robust pipeline of technical talent, which is often cited as a bottleneck to growth within the alternative protein industry.
Technical deep-dives
The science of plant-based meat
Learn about the science of plant-based meat. Discover resources and research on the latest technological developments and key scientific questions.
The science of cultivated meat
Learn about the science of cultivated meat and the challenges that must be addressed for commercial production.
The science of fermentation
Learn about the emerging role of microbial fermentation in building the next generation of alternative protein products.
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Technical analyses and reports
Our technical analyses and reports identify solutions for alternative protein taste, price, scale parity, and improved environmental sustainability.
Research ideas
GFI identifies the most pressing technological bottlenecks and prioritizes the most promising solutions to accelerating alternative proteins. Tap into our solutions database to discover ideas for research projects, find inspiration for new commercial ventures and products, and explore ecosystem-level interventions to accelerate the field.
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Cultivated
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Fermentation
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Plant-Based
Techno-economic models to inform product and process development
Techno-economic models are critical for process design and cost of goods projections. Open-access models based on generalized or exemplar processes with standardized unit operations and designs can form the foundation…
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Fermentation
Comprehensive microbial screening to identify new protein production candidate strains
Metabolic and physiological characteristics of microbial strains define the commercial potential of any fermentative process, but only a minimal number of strains have been scaled up for commercial production of…
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Plant-Based
Protein sequence, structure, and functionality database
There is a need for deeper fundamental research on the relationships between protein sequence, structure, functionality, and ultimately performance in plant-based food products. While several plant-based companies have claimed a…
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Cultivated
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Fermentation
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Plant-Based
Developing open-access model production facility blueprints
Open-access blueprints would provide a head start on facility design and allow equipment manufacturers and engineering companies to address standard industry needs.
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Fermentation
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Plant-Based
Biological processing methods for isolating protein ingredients
Processing crops into flours, isolates, and concentrates often relies on chemical and mechanical methods. Biological processing techniques may impart the desired composition and molecular structure for optimal functionality with increased…
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Cultivated
Species-specific research toolkits for cultivated meat-relevant species
Coordinated efforts to develop standardized, comprehensive research toolkits of meat-relevant species would exponentially accelerate cultivated meat research.
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Fermentation
Biosynthetic pathway discovery for fermentation-produced molecules
After identifying specific target molecules or desired functionalities in animal-derived foods, scientists can work backward, mining microbial sequences for candidate molecules in the microbial realm that might provide similar functionality.…
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Cultivated
Open-access formulations & optimization methods for cell culture media and growth factor cocktails
The availability of more open-access formulations will provide a foundation to enable both academic researchers and startup companies to develop their own customized formulations with far less effort and cost.
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Cultivated
Computational models of perfusion flow through scaffolds
For tissue-structured cultivated meat production, the transition from the proliferation phase to differentiation phase may involve seeding cells onto a prefabricated scaffold within a perfusion bioreactor. Medium is then perfused…
Tools and databases
Explore our library of research tools and databases that are designed to advance research, foster connection, accelerate learning, and help scientists overcome key technological bottlenecks like access to cell lines and research tools.
Aggregating data for alternative seafood
Use our open-access databases to explore how scientific taxonomies and evolutionary relationships map onto culinary categories of seafood.
Expanding access to cell lines
Limited access to cell lines is a significant challenge for cultivated meat research. GFI is working to expand access and support the development of new cell lines.
Alternative Protein Researcher Directory
Explore the global landscape of researchers working to advance the science of plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and fermentation.
Research funding database
GFI’s research funding database provides curated grant opportunities for open-access alternative protein research.
Student resource guide
This guide will help you steer through the exciting world of alternative proteins.
Massive open online course
Enroll in our open-access online course to learn about the science of plant-based meat, fermentation, and cultivated meat.
Research Grant Program
Fueled by our generous donors, we are excited to introduce our most recent cohort of open-access alternative protein research projects. Our program also supports researchers with resources to help identify funding opportunities and more.
Projects selected for funding in 2024
Growing meat from plants
Sunflower byproducts for sustainable food
Seaweed proteins for cultivated meat (SeaToMeat)
Cell culture media from yeast
Upcycling wheat bran for fermentation
Microalgae for sustainable cultivated meat
Agricultural sidestreams for culture media
Green downstream processing
Upcycling of side streams
Reimagining soy: flavor and function
Cost-effective meat-like protein production
Extrusion-assisted canola protein extraction
Low-cost cell culture media
Join our global scientific community
Our Alternative Protein Researcher Directory makes it easier for scientists to find collaborators with complementary skills so that together they can accelerate the transition to the next generation of meat, eggs, and dairy. Join our community of researchers today to forge connections, find industry and academic collaborators, and learn about the latest in alternative protein science.
Seminar series: The Science of Alt Protein
Every month, an academic or industry scientist from the field of alternative protein presents their latest research, explores an interesting research question, or identifies white space opportunities that warrant further exploration.
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Needs assessment on building an inclusive alternative protein workforce
This report reviews challenges faced by scholars from underrepresented groups and describes opportunities for GFI and its partners to transform career development experiences for these individuals.
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The Alt Protein Project
Students play a pivotal role in building the alternative protein ecosystem. Explore how you can start a student group at your university to accelerate the global transition to the future…
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Alternative protein career portal
Discover rewarding alternative protein jobs. Gain insights on building your career and find open positions in this exciting industry.
Online course: The science behind alternative proteins
Enroll in GFI’s open-access online course to learn about the science of plant-based and cultivated meat.
Meet our experts
Amanda Hildebrand, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Amanda Hildebrand oversees GFI’s Science and Technology department to build a roadmap for accelerating alternative protein research while empowering scientists to execute on this vision.
Areas of expertise: bioprocess development and commercialization, project and team leadership, fermentation, kinetic modeling
Elliot Swartz, PhD
SENIOR PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, CULTIVATED MEAT
Elliot Swartz analyzes scientific progress and bottlenecks in cultivated meat.
Areas of expertise: cultivated meat: cell culture media, costs, and environmental impact
Claire Bomkamp, PhD
SENIOR SCIENTIST, CULTIVATED MEAT & SEAFOOD
Claire Bomkamp is focused on cultivated seafood and driving forward GFI’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative.
Areas of expertise: the science and technology of cultivated seafood, cultivated seafood startups, research, and university programs, science communication, fish puns.
Nikhita Mansukhani Kogar, PhD
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, PLANT-BASED
Nikhita is focused on the technical landscape of plant-based proteins and how to expand their impact and adoption.
Areas of expertise: plant-based product development, materials science, physicochemical characterization, food chemistry
Priera Panescu Scott, Ph.D.
GFI ALUM
Faraz Harsini, M.Sc., Ph.D., DipACLM
GFI ALUM
Adam Leman, PhD
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, FERMENTATION
Adam is focused on engineering a new paradigm in food production.
Areas of expertise: microbial fermentation, precision fermentation, molecular biology
Lucas Eastham
LEAD SCIENTIST, FERMENTATION
Lucas Eastham is focused on analyzing fermentation technologies, and progressing their applications in the alternative protein industry.
Areas of expertise: microbial biotechnology, upstream strain and process development, downstream process development, bioprocess product commercialization
Amy Huang
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SCIENTIFIC ECOSYSTEMS
Amy leads GFI’s scientific ecosystems team to build research and training communities around the globe.
Areas of expertise: scientific field-building, design thinking, public speaking, community-building
Simone Costa, PhD
DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL STRATEGY
Simone Costa oversees SciTech’s technical solutions team to evaluate and advance technological readiness across alternative protein platforms.
Areas of expertise: biomolecular and protein engineering, fermentation, cell biology, strategic planning
Erin Rees Clayton, PhD
SENIOR FELLOW, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Erin leverages broad ecosystem knowledge and strategic insights to strengthen the global alternative protein research and development landscape.
Areas of expertise: alternative protein research strategy, technical thought leadership, research funding and ecosystem analysis
Samantha Riches
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, RESEARCH FUNDING
Samantha is responsible for leading the SciTech research funding team.
Areas of expertise: research funding, global network building, program management
Nicholas Goldsmith, PhD
RESEARCH FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Nicholas Goldsmith supports GFI’s partnerships with research funders in the US.
Areas of expertise: research funding, science policy, grantmaking, merit review, research
Elisha Reichling, MS, RDN, LDN
RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM MANAGER
Elisha manages GFI’s global Research Grant Program’s request for proposals and grantee portfolio.
Areas of expertise: research funding, non-profit leadership, application and review software, process improvement
Amanda Bess
SENIOR ANALYSIS PROGRAM MANAGER
Amanda leads SciTech’s technical analyses and supports strategic planning of future research focused on the tractability and sustainability of alternative protein technologies.
Areas of expertise: environmental science, critical analysis, program management, strategic planning
Nathan Ahlgrim
SENIOR ACADEMIC COMMUNITY MANAGER
Nathan manages the Alt Protein Project, in which he empowers student groups around the globe to build the alternative protein field at their university.
Areas of expertise: community-building, program operations, early career coaching, education, psychology, neuroscience
Bianca Datta, PhD
SENIOR SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Bianca leads our efforts to mobilize and energize the alternative protein research community.
Areas of expertise: material science & engineering, scientific community-building, public speaking, universities, colleges
Recent updates
Building an alt protein community at Brown University and beyond
Reflections from a graduating leader on what it means to create lasting change as a student and an alumni
Germany’s High-Tech Agenda: innovation hub for alternative proteins could support economic growth
GFI Europe welcomes the fact that the German federal government has firmly anchored alternative protein sources in its High-Tech Agenda.
Breaking down the boundaries: Meet the researchers working on a cross-border project to build Nordic alternative protein momentum
An international network linking Nordic researchers seeks to provide collaborative opportunities often missing in alternative protein science.
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The Grazer
Get our bi-monthly newsletter curated for the scientific research community to learn the latest on research, funding opportunities, and events.
Support our work
Our research and scientific initiatives are made possible thanks to our generous, global family of donors. Philanthropic support is vital to our mission. Connect with us today to discuss how you can help fuel this transformative work.
