RFP on Alternative Protein R&D
Coefficient Giving’s RFP on Alternative Protein R&D funds foundational research to overcome taste, flavor, and technical barriers in alternative proteins, focusing on four key scientific priorities.
Funder: Coefficient Giving
Due Dates: August 10, 2026: Full application submission deadline (applications remain open until Aug 10, 2026)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10 million total; individual awards typically range from $100,000–$1 million for projects lasting 2–3 years (up to 3.5 years maximum).
Summary: Funds foundational research to close the taste and price gap between alternative proteins and animal products, focusing on four critical R&D priorities.
Key Information: Awards are made on a rolling basis until the deadline; interdisciplinary and international teams are encouraged to apply.
Description
This opportunity supports foundational, pre-competitive research aimed at accelerating the mainstream adoption of alternative proteins by addressing key scientific and technical barriers. The program seeks to catalyze progress in closing the taste and price gap between alternative proteins and conventional animal products, targeting research areas that are underfunded by both public and private sectors. Four R&D priorities are emphasized:
- Reducing off-flavors in plant- and fermentation-derived protein ingredients
- Developing fat alternatives for authentic flavor generation
- Advancing egg reduction and replacement technologies
- Characterizing fish flavors in welfare-priority species
The funder encourages collaboration across academia, industry, and public-sector organizations, and is particularly interested in interdisciplinary teams with a credible pathway to industry uptake.
