Public research funding

Public research funding

The Good Food Institute Israel’s policy team works to boost public research and development funding to help advance innovation and make alternative proteins delicious and affordable for everyone.

Explore This Page:

Why should governments fund
alternative protein research?

A spoon in a pan full of sizzling greens, garlic, and plant-based meat.
Credit: More Foods

Just as governments fund research and development into renewable energy, governments interested in addressing climate change, as well as enhancing public health and food security, should fund open-access research into plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat, eggs, dairy, and seafood.

The private sector is already developing these foods, but given how CAPEX-intensive this industry is, government investments are paramount to accelerate progress, bring prices down, and make alternative protein options available everywhere.

Public sector investment in open-access research can address foundational issues and support the growth of a whole sector rather than just one company. Governments can transform meat production systemically—maximizing the economic and societal benefits of alternative proteins.

How does the Israeli government support alternative protein research?

GFI Israel has been working with the Israeli government to fund alternative protein research in Israeli academia, with a strategic focus on filling gaps, resolving bottlenecks in the sector, and drawing in new expertise to the field.

In July 2022, GFI Israel, in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments, launched a collaborative call for research proposals that would improve a final product or enhance a production process. With a total budget of US$1.2 million, we funded 15 projects for two years.

In September 2022, food tech and alternative proteins were announced as one of Israel’s top 5 national R&D priority areas, including cultivated, fermentation-derived, and plant-based substitutes for meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs.

In September 2023, for the second time, GFI Israel launched a collaborative call for research proposals with the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, with ~US$1.35 million funding 10 new projects. This initiative solicited proposals that involved interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and biology. Another call for research proposals was launched in June 2024, offering ~US$534,000 for 8 potential projects. 

Credit: Oshi


How does GFI Israel secure public funding for alternative protein research?

GFI Israel works with scientists, policymakers, and other organizations to secure government funding for plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat research and helps scientists learn about research funding opportunities.

What we do

  • We share information, research, and data with policymakers and a wider array of stakeholders, highlighting how plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat can help address major global challenges such as climate change, food security, and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
  • We work with public institutions and ministries to ensure public funding is available for research to improve the nutritional value,  taste, and price of plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat. We then share our expertise to help direct that investment toward the highest-impact areas.
  • We collaborate with various governmental agencies, innovation authorities, multilateral organizations, and international research funds interested in food systems to secure public funding for international collaboration in R&D for alternative proteins.

How you can help

Our work in advancing research and advocacy is only possible thanks to our generous, global family of donors. GFI Israel is 100% powered by philanthropy. You can fuel this transformative work by supporting us today.