Two organizations want food companies with innovative project ideas to come forward to meet a growing demand of plant-based food and ingredients.

Protein Industries Canada and Innovate U.K. are offering $20-million for collaborative Research & Development (R&D) projects that can help diversify protein options in the world.

CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel says they’re looking for specific projects.

“Many companies around the world don’t know how to use Canadian ingredients because they’re unique – either from a functionality perspective or from the taste and texture they provide. This collaborative information could look at a project where we’ve got a plant-based food company in the U.K. that’s looking for new and novel ingredients from Canada.” Greuel explained.

He adds companies from Canada and the United Kingdom can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to both groups.

Greuel says when a Canadian company gets approved for example, they will receive assistance in connecting with U.K. companies that are most likely a good fit, as well as developing a complete R&D project.

The call for projects is the latest endeavour of a working relationship between the two organizations. It includes both sides taking a turn sending a delegation of companies to Canada and the U.K.

A British delegation was at the Protein Industries Canada AGM in Edmonton, and made additional stops in Saskatoon at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc, Alberta, and to the University of Guelph.

Protein Industries Canada will be leading a delegation of food companies and ingredient manufacturers to the U.K. this week, attending a conference in London called “Future Food Tech”, which brings together Europe’s plant-based food sector.

“We’re really exposing our Canadian companies to all the opportunities that exist from a collaborative-innovation perspective,” Greuel said, adding it’s also a connection making opportunity.

EOI’s are being accepted until November 1st. All projects must be completed by March 31st, 2026. More information can be found on the Protein Industries Canada website.