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 key talent development initiatives that aims to advance the smart protein sector under four-point goals:
- Build a dedicated talent pipeline for the smart protein space by pushing for coursework at universities.
- Grow an active community of student leaders to raise awareness and generate discourse around smart protein.
- Promote scientific research in critical whitespaces and build infrastructure capacity at university ecosystems.
- Facilitate industry-academia collaboration leading to increased tech transfer, commercialisation, and venture creation.
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 50+ universities globally. Propelled by their expert faculty mentors, designated APP funds, and their passion for smart protein, these student cohorts pave the way for their peers and juniors to seamlessly enter the world of smart protein.
Meet the Indian SPP chapters
In India, as of 2023, there are three active SPP chapters:
- The Delhi Smart Protein Project (Delhi University and, Ashoka University),
- The Mumbai Smart Protein Project (Indian Institute of Technology, – Bombay, Institute of Chemical Technology)
- The Chennai Smart Protein Project (Indian Institute of Technology, Madras)
Following their launch, the Indian SPP groups have worked closely with GFI and a global community of peers to build nuanced alternative protein courses/majors, research projects, and even startups at their universities.
Noteworthy 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 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 Science and Technology Specialist, 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 Science and Technology Associate, 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.