New Opportunity: Creating Open Datasets for Alternative Protein Research

By Noa Weiss @ 2024-09-03T23:43 (+1)

TL;DR: Food System Innovations is offering grants ($10k-$25k) for creating open-source datasets to advance alternative protein research. If you're interested in contributing to this field, check out the RFP at https://fsi.org/rfp-ctf or read more about our AI/ML grants at https://fsi.org/aiml-grants. 

Food System Innovations (FSI) has recently opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) for creating open-source datasets for alternative protein development. I am part of the committee that shaped this RFP and will evaluate the proposals, so I can provide some context.

What's the RFP about?

FSI is seeking proposals to develop open-source datasets that could advance research and development in the alternative protein field. The goal is to create resources that researchers and innovators can use to improve/solve some of the problems the industry is facing.

Why might this matter?

1. Potential for AI/ML applications: These datasets could enable more effective use of AI and machine learning in alternative protein research.
2. Lowering barriers to entry: Open datasets could allow more researchers and companies to contribute to the field without duplicating basic research.
3. Collaborative work: Open datasets would enable collaborations between different groups or individuals.

What kinds of projects are we considering?

The RFP is fairly open-ended, but some potential areas include:

• Supply chain data
• Production cost factors
• Nutritional data
• Sensory attributes
• Texture analysis
• Environmental impact metrics

Funding details

Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. If you need more than that, we are willing to consider co-funding - see more details in the link below.

How to get involved

1. If you're interested in applying, you can find the full RFP at https://fsi.org/rfp-ctf  or read more about our AI/ML grants (FAQ included) at https://fsi.org/aiml-grants. 
2. If you know someone who might be a good fit, consider sharing this opportunity with them.
3. If you have thoughts on what kinds of datasets could be most impactful, feel free to discuss in the comments.

This RFP aims to contribute to the groundwork for advancing alternative protein research. While it's a modest step, it could potentially help in creating a more sustainable and ethical food system.

If you decide to apply, you're welcome to mention that you heard about it through this forum. It would be interesting to see contributions from our community.