The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) is delighted to announce the latest projects selected through its Collaborative Programme Funding (CPF II), investing over £1 million across 33 collaborative projects that will help shape the future of sustainable food and feed.
Bringing together universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and innovators from across the UK, the funding supports projects that address industry-led challenges and accelerate the translation of world-leading research into commercial solutions with real-world impact.
The portfolio reflects the breadth of the UK’s alternative protein ecosystem, spanning the entire innovation pipeline—from developing novel ingredients and manufacturing technologies to improving consumer acceptance, food safety, regulation and commercial adoption.
Collaborative Programme Funding (CPF) is one of NAPIC’s flagship innovation programmes, designed to connect UKRI-eligible research organisations with industry of all sizes—from start-ups and SMEs to multinational companies—to solve some of the sector’s biggest innovation challenges.
Projects were selected across a range of funding streams, including Proof of Concept, Demonstration & Innovation, Networking Awards and Mobility Awards, supporting innovation from early-stage research through to industry-ready solutions.
The programme supports collaborations that will:
The projects selected span a wide range of research themes, demonstrating the breadth of innovation needed to make alternative proteins mainstream.
The portfolio includes projects focused on:
Other funded projects explore areas including precision fermentation, microbial and fungal proteins, plant-based dairy alternatives, algae and seaweed ingredients, AI-powered food authentication, sustainable aquaculture, insect breeding, food regulation and workforce development, highlighting the diversity of innovation taking place across the UK.
Among the projects selected are collaborations that showcase the diversity and potential of the programme.
Researchers from the University of Surrey and Altobioscience will generate the first human evidence comparing cricket protein with whey protein for muscle recovery after exercise, supporting the development of sustainable, high-performance nutrition products.
Researchers from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and MiAlgae will transform by-products from Scotland’s whisky industry into nutrient-rich microalgal feed ingredients, helping reduce reliance on imported soya while supporting a circular bioeconomy.
The University of Sheffield and ProVeg UK will work with pupils, parents and school caterers to co-design practical interventions that encourage greater uptake of plant-based meals in primary schools, supporting healthier diets and more sustainable food choices for future generations.
Across the lifetime of the programme, NAPIC has made up to £4 million available through its Collaborative Programme Funding, supporting projects from early proof of concept through to demonstration, networking and researcher mobility.
By investing in collaborative research and innovation, NAPIC is helping create the evidence, partnerships and technologies needed to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in alternative proteins.
Imran Afzal, NAPIC CEO, said:
“Alternative proteins have a vital role to play in creating healthier, more sustainable and resilient food systems, but achieving this requires collaboration across the entire innovation ecosystem. Through our Collaborative Programme Funding, NAPIC is supporting partnerships that tackle real-world challenges—from discovering novel ingredients and advancing manufacturing technologies to increasing consumer acceptance and accelerating commercial adoption. These projects showcase the breadth of UK innovation and demonstrate how collaboration can transform scientific excellence into tangible impact for society, industry and the economy.”
Over the coming months, NAPIC will shine a spotlight on the funded projects, sharing stories of collaboration, innovation and impact as researchers and industry partners work together to accelerate the future of alternative proteins.
Find out more about NAPIC’s Collaborative Programme Funding and explore the successful projects: