Impact Funding Resources
NAPIC has allocated a pot of £4 million to fund UKRI funding-eligible academic and research organisations to work collaboratively with the alternative protein industry, to facilitate the delivery of a diverse array of innovation challenge-driven projects. This funding will be allocated through several calls over the next 4 years.
Start Date12 May 2025 End Date11 Jul 2025 Funding AmountGBP 5k to 100k Funding Resource TypeGrant
Funding ProviderNational Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC)
Grant
National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC)
Types of Projects
• Proof of Concept, Demonstration, Innovation Sprints, Networking Awards, Mobility Awards
All projects must be collaborative and led by a UK Research Organisation.
For Proof of Concept, Demonstration, Innovation Sprint and Networking Award projects, the project lead must collaborate with at least one non-research partner which must be one of the following UK registered: business of any size, public sector or non-ministerial government department, charity or not for profit.
For a Mobility Award the project lead must collaborate with at least one non-research partner which must be one of the above, or an international research organisation.
NAPIC are committed to supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all our funding activities. We encourage applications from diverse teams and organisations, and expect all applicants to consider EDI in the development and delivery of their proposals.
There are six funding streams you will be able to apply for. Please read the guidance available for each stream before starting your application
• PROOF OF CONCEPT 1 AND 2
Funding to support early-to-mid stage commercialisation activities that validate the development of concepts that have arisen from research. There are two tiers of Proof of Concept (PoC) projects - PoC 1 funds larger research and innovation challenges. PoC 2 funds smaller, shorter projects. Projects will be expected to develop a concept, idea or technology from any alternative protein sector which can be in a laboratory, model or real world setting to give confidence for further work.
• DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
Funding will support activities aimed at demonstrating the viability of a new technology, innovation or process to support commercial adoption. This could include development of a prototype, or pilot to demonstrate real life or close to real life working conditions.
• INNOVATION SPRINTS
Supports projects focused on fast iteration and testing of ideas within a short timeline. These projects are innovation challenge-driven projects aiming to overcome key technical, regulatory, or market hurdles leading to commercialisation outcomes.
• NETWORKING Events
Funding for inter-sector networking events and workshops which address scientific and innovation challenges at any stage from discovery to commercialisation. We will fund events that bring together academia, industry and/or third sector to share knowledge, identify problems, hold training activities or create dialogue with regulators and policy makers.
• MOBILITY AWARDS
Funding to support individuals (especially early career researchers) on international/industrial placements to pursue collaborative work (upskilling, broadening collaborations, etc.) on scientific and innovation challenges at any stage from discovery to commercialisation.
