Call Opens: 18 December 2019
Submission Deadline: 18 February 2020
Singapore imports more than 90% of its food today and is vulnerable to global trends that impact food supply and safety, such as climate change, urbanisation, growing complexity of food systems, and new business models and food products.
To turn food challenges into advantages, the Singapore Food Agency and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research have jointly developed the Singapore Food Story (SFS) R&D Programme, to build a strong base of R&D capabilities in local research institutions in partnership with industry, and undertake cross-domain research in emerging areas of the agri-tech and food space. It focuses on three R&D themes:
Theme 1: Sustainable Urban Food Production
(Please refer to this website for more information and upcoming grant calls under Theme 1.)
Theme 2: Future Foods: Alternative Proteins
(Please refer to the details below for the Alternative Protein Seed Challenge)
Theme 3: Food Safety Science and Innovation
This grant call concerns Future Foods: Alternative Proteins. The global landscape for dietary protein production faces mounting constraints on land use and environmental sustainability, and seeks alternative, more sustainable methods to produce protein-rich foods and beverages. Not only do economic opportunities abound, such technologies will help Singapore diversify options for protein consumption, some of which can be locally produced to address food security.
As a Seed Challenge, this grant call aims to foster knowledge creation and catalyse early-stage innovation by targeting projects with Technology Readiness Levels from 1 to 3. Research should aim to address some of the fundamental technical challenges faced by the alternative protein industry. Projects that demonstrate novelty and promising proof-of-concept, with high commercial potential will be encouraged to further develop their capabilities through subsequent participation in other grant calls.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider potential safety and health risks, organoleptic properties, nutritional profiles, health benefits, cost of final product/solutions, scalability, sustainability, market potential and other socioeconomic aspects in the proposals in order to ensure commercial viability in future. Relevance to Asian consumers and Asian resources is preferred.
Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, five focus areas listed below, with examples of desired outcomes. Research could involve one or more segments of the alternative protein value chain from materials/feedstock sourcing, discovery of ingredients/materials, processing, formulation and product development.
1. Microbial (Single-Cell) Protein
2. Cultured Meat
3. Plant-Based Alternatives to Animal Products
4. Insect Protein
5. Side Stream Valorisation
Please refer to the info sheet and other documents available at the application link below for more details.
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