Horizon Europe announces €32 million for sustainable proteins

16 June 2021

Horizon Europe has announced €32 million in funding for research into sustainable proteins – its biggest package of support covering plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation to date.

Scientist researching plant-based meat

Horizon Europe has announced €32 million in funding for research into sustainable proteins – its biggest package of support covering plant-based, cultivated meat (grown from cells) and fermentation to date.

The multi-annual EU funding framework, which will run from 2021 to 2027, contains three projects in the 2021/ 2022 Work Programme directly covering this area, after the Good Food Institute Europe and 21 other organisations sent an open letter calling on the European Commission to invest in sustainable protein R&D.

Acacia Smith, policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, said: “Horizon Europe’s funding for open-access research will spark real innovation in plant-based foods, cultivated meat and fermentation. By making these options more delicious and accessible, and ensuring farmers are part of the transition, this investment will accelerate Europe’s shift to a sustainable, secure and just food system.

“It’s a strong signal that the EU is betting on sustainable proteins playing an important role in meeting its climate and biodiversity targets. National governments should take this as encouragement to invest in the research and infrastructure we need to advance plant-based and cultivated meat.”

Existing research shows that cultivating meat from cells could cut the climate impact of meat by up to 92%, reduce air pollution by up to 93%, and use up to 95% less land and 78% less water. Plant-based meat has been found to emit up to 90% less greenhouse gas, cause up to 91% less pollution, and use up to 99% less land and water, than conventionally produced meat. 

The sustainable protein projects:

Filling knowledge gaps on nutritional, safety, allergenicity and environmental assessment of alternative proteins and dietary shift 

ID: HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01-12

Budget: €11 million. 

Aim: develop a more comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the environmental footprint, sustainability performance and health profiles of foods including plant-based foods, cultivated meat and proteins made using fermentation.  

Developing sustainable and competitive land-based protein crop systems and value chains

ID: HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01-02

Budget: €9 million.

Aim: build the business case for protein crops, facilitating best-practice sharing between farmers, and developing value chains in order to increase protein crop production and address food security concerns.  

Building alternative protein-friendly sustainable and healthy food environments

ID: HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01-02

Budget: €12 million. 

Aim: ensure that food environments such as restaurants and supermarkets offer healthy, delicious, sustainable and affordable protein options (other than conventionally produced meat and dairy) to help consumers make better food choices. 

Are you a researcher working in these areas? Apply for Horizon Europe funding under these projects.