NAPIC invests more than £1 million in 33 UK alternative protein innovation projects

The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) has invested more than £1 million across 33 collaborative projects spanning precision fermentation, novel protein sources, manufacturing, nutrition, regulation and consumer acceptance in the UK.

• NAPIC has invested more than £1 million across 33 projects through the second round of its Collaborative Programme Funding.
• Projects have covered precision fermentation, microbial and fungal proteins, algae, plant-based foods, manufacturing, regulation, AI, nutrition and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborations have included universities, research organizations, businesses and charities, with funding supporting projects from proof of concept through to demonstration and researcher mobility.

The projects were selected through NAPIC's Collaborative Programme Funding II (CPF II), which was established to connect UKRI-eligible research organizations with businesses ranging from startups and SMEs to multinational companies.

Funding was awarded through Proof of Concept, Demonstration & Innovation, Networking Awards and Mobility Awards, allowing projects at different stages of development to access support.

NAPIC described commercialization as a central focus of the program, with projects intended to generate evidence for industry adoption, address technical and regulatory barriers and develop technologies capable of moving beyond academic research.

The 33-project portfolio covered a broad cross-section of alternative protein technologies. Alongside precision fermentation, microbial and fungal proteins, projects have explored plant-based dairy alternatives, algae and seaweed ingredients, sustainable aquaculture and insect breeding.

Other work has focused further along the commercialization pathway, including manufacturing and scale-up, food safety, regulation, workforce development and the use of artificial intelligence in food authentication.

One project will investigate the potential of cricket protein for sports nutrition. Researchers at the University of Surrey and Altobioscience will generate human evidence comparing cricket protein with whey protein for muscle recovery following exercise.

The study is intended to provide evidence supporting the development of sustainable sports nutrition products using insect-derived protein.

In Scotland, researchers at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and biotechnology company MiAlgae will investigate the conversion of by-products from the whisky industry into nutrient-rich microalgal ingredients for poultry feed.

The collaboration will explore whether these ingredients could reduce dependence on imported soy while creating a higher-value use for an existing industrial by-product.

Consumer adoption is also represented in the funding round. The University of Sheffield and ProVeg UK will work with pupils, parents and school caterers to develop interventions designed to increase uptake of plant-based meals in primary schools.

The project will examine practical approaches to encouraging healthier and more sustainable food choices among children rather than focusing solely on new ingredients or production technologies.

“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,” said Imran Afzal, CEO of NAPIC.

“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.”

NAPIC was established as a national research and innovation center focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of alternative proteins in the UK, bringing together academic research and industry expertise across the sector.

Its Collaborative Programme Funding forms one of the center's main mechanisms for creating direct partnerships between researchers and companies around specific technical and commercial challenges.

Across the lifetime of the program, NAPIC has made up to £4 million available through the Collaborative Programme Funding. The figure represents funding available through the program rather than the amount awarded in the latest CPF II round, which totaled more than £1 million.

“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,” Afzal said.

NAPIC plans to publish further details on individual projects over the coming months as the collaborations progress.

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