The Alt Protein Project
Students play a pivotal role in building the alternative protein ecosystem. Learn about how you can start a student group at your university to accelerate the global transition to the future of food.
Introduction
What is the Smart Protein Project?
The Smart Protein Project (SPP) is GFI India’s iteration of the Alt Protein Project (APP), one of GFI’s talent development initiatives that aims to advance the smart protein sector under three-point goals:
- Build a dedicated talent pipeline for the smart protein sector by catalysing dedicated coursework at universities.
- Grow an active community of student leaders to raise awareness and inspire discourse on smart protein.
- Encourage open-access scientific research and entrepreneurship to address critical whitespaces at the university level.
Since 2020, this global student movement, through the APP, has been turning higher educational academic institutes into engines for smart protein research and education and is now spread across 70+ universities globally. Propelled by expert faculty mentors, designated APP funds, and their passion for smart protein, APP student cohorts pave the way for their peers and juniors to seamlessly enter the world of smart protein.
Smart Protein Project mentors:
- Amrutha Girivasan: Regional Mentor, All India SPP chapters
- Ashutosh Tripathy: Alumni mentor, ICT Mumbai SPP
- Kartik Chauhan, Alumni mentor, University of Delhi SPP
Meet the India SPP chapters
In India, as of 2025, there are six active SPP chapters:
- The Ashoka University Smart Protein Project
- The University of Delhi Smart Protein Project
- The NIFTEM-K Smart Protein Project
- The Amity University Smart Protein Project
- The ICT Mumbai Smart Protein Project
- The IIT Madras Smart Protein Project
Following their launch, the Indian SPP groups have worked closely with GFI and a global community of peers to build nuanced alternative protein courses and majors, research projects, and even startups at their universities.
Noteworthy initiatives
In October 2024, Ashoka University SPP, in collaboration with the Ashoka Political Sciences Society and the Office of Sustainability, organised a talk focusing on the BioE3 policy, with guest speaker Astha Gaur, Senior Policy Specialist – Regulatory, GFI India.
In February 2025, the ICT Mumbai SPP, in collaboration with FoodYaari, hosted a webinar with Debabrata Das, founder of ProMeat, to spotlight the smart protein landscape with a focus on plant-based meat.
In March and August 2025, the IIT-M SPP (affiliated with the IIT-M Plant-Based Society) hosted outreach events aimed at educating students on the significance of smart proteins for a sustainable future. The team also provided goodies to the students who participated.
In March 2025, the NIFTEM-K SPP hosted The Alt Protein Market Breakthrough Challenge as part of their larger Ideathon event during the e-summit, attracting over 30 teams who pitched their innovative smart protein startup solutions to a panel of expert judges.
In April 2025, the University of Delhi SPP (affiliated with the e-cell at the university) organised their e-summit, where they spoke about smart proteins and introduced GFI India and the DU SPP’s mission to a large student audience.
In August 2025, the Amity SPP helped organise an in-person workshop focused on building research and talent in the smart protein sector, featuring GFI India’s SciTech team.
Older initiatives
June 2023
The Delhi Smart Protein Project, with e-learning providers ClimateScience, hosted an in-person discussion titled ‘Climate Careers: From Tech to Table‘, emphasising the connection between food systems and sustainability. Along with Poorvasha Kar, GFI India’s former Innovation Associate, speakers from investment firms, smart protein startups, and climate tech companies were present at the event.
September 2023
The Chennai Smart Protein Project collaborated with iGEM, a university biotechnology research club, to host an information session on smart protein at IIT Madras. Chandana Tekkatte, GFI India’s Head of Science and Technology, delivered a talk on precision fermentation for smart proteins.
February 2024
The Mumbai Smart Protein Project, in collaboration with BioTecNika, a biotechnology news and career board, launched a webinar series titled ‘Smart Protein Disruption’, with eminent speakers covering the fundamentals of smart protein science and careers in smart protein. Amrutha Girivasan, GFI India’s Scientific Engagement Coordinator, spoke about the smart protein landscape during the first webinar of the series. Speakers for the other sessions included smart protein startup founders and fellow SPP members.