GFI Europe: Increased funding and academic interest highlight Europe’s growing role in sustainable food innovation

The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) recently published a report revealing that more than a quarter of all European research on alternative proteins was published in 2023, reflecting a notable rise in academic interest and funding in this field. Last year, 472 academic papers on plant-based, cultivated meat, and fermentation-based foods were published across Europe, marking a significant increase from only 19 studies in 2010.

Public and philanthropic funding has played a crucial role in this research surge. Investments rose from €63 million in 2020 to €290 million in 2023, and GFI Europe anticipates similar or higher funding levels by the end of 2024. Despite this growth, alternative protein research in Europe is still relatively young and faces challenges, including limited international collaboration and inconsistent funding approaches across countries. The report underscores Europe’s potential to become a leader in sustainable protein, although certain technical aspects essential for advancing commercialization remain underfunded.

In terms of publication volume, the UK leads with 255 papers, followed by Germany and the Netherlands with 243 and 199, respectively. Italy boasts the largest number of researchers (504) despite its government’s cautious stance on alternative proteins. Some smaller nations, including Ireland, Finland, and Denmark, have shown strong research output on a per capita basis, suggesting that research capacity is expanding beyond larger European nations.

However, collaboration in alternative protein research remains limited compared to other scientific fields. Only 39% of these studies involve cross-border cooperation, below the EU’s overall average of 56% and the UK’s 64%. Nevertheless, the influence of European research is growing globally, with these studies receiving citations from researchers in 144 countries, particularly in China, India, and the USA.

The analysis highlights that plant-based protein research is currently the most prominent, making up 64% of all publications and showing the fastest growth rate year-over-year. Research on cultivated meat and fermentation-based foods has fluctuated, with the number of papers in these areas experiencing occasional declines. The study notes that technical advancements, such as innovations in scaling up production systems like bioreactors, remain limited in funding despite their importance for commercial viability.

Funding inconsistencies across Europe reflect different regional priorities and specializations. While the European Union has allocated significant funds, particularly through Horizon Europe, which contributed €252 million (half of which was granted in 2023 and early 2024), some regions are lagging in strategic funding to support specific technical needs. Addressing these gaps could further accelerate Europe’s progress in alternative proteins.

GFI Europe’s report indicates that alternative protein research in Europe holds vast potential to contribute to global food sustainability goals. However, more robust and coordinated funding, along with increased international collaboration, will be essential to address current gaps and bring alternative proteins closer to mainstream commercialization.